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The Open Orthopaedics Journal 2017Adult acquired flatfoot deformity is a commonly seen condition with a large clinical spectrum. It ranges from asymptomatic subjects to severely disabled arthritic...
BACKGROUND
Adult acquired flatfoot deformity is a commonly seen condition with a large clinical spectrum. It ranges from asymptomatic subjects to severely disabled arthritic patients. Posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction is a common cause of adult acquired flatfoot deformity.
METHODS
This article systematically reviews the published literature from books and journals that were either originally written or later translated into the English language regarding the subject of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction.
RESULTS
Posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction is a primary soft tissue tendinopathy of the posterior tibialis that leads to altered foot biomechanics. Although the natural history of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction is not fully known, it has mostly been agreed that it is a progressive disorder. While clinical examination is important in diagnosing adult acquired flat-feet; further investigation is often required to delineate the different aetiologies and stage of the disease. The literature describes many different management choices for the different stages of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
Because of the wide range of symptom and deformity severity, surgical reconstruction is based on a-la-carte. The consensus is that a plethora of reconstructive options needs to be available and the list of procedures should be tailored to tackle the different symptoms, especially when managing complex multi-planar reconstructions.
PubMed: 28979585
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001711010714 -
JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques 2022Proximal medial gastrocnemius release (PMGR) is a technique that is performed to relieve tension in the Achilles-calcaneus-plantar system when a biomechanical overload...
UNLABELLED
Proximal medial gastrocnemius release (PMGR) is a technique that is performed to relieve tension in the Achilles-calcaneus-plantar system when a biomechanical overload is present. One of the main indications for this technique is recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. This procedure may also be useful in second-rocker metatarsalgia or midportion Achilles tendinitis. It is considered to be an easy and safe method for achieving good results.
DESCRIPTION
PMGR is performed with the patient in the prone position. A thigh tourniquet is not utilized. We prefer to use spinal anesthesia, but local anesthesia could be applied along with sedation. A posteromedial incision is made on or just below the posterior knee crease. The crural fascia is divided, and the proximal insertion of the medial gastrocnemius is identified. Performing the "hook maneuver" with a curved dissector is helpful at this step. Only the white fibers are sectioned in order to allow for a lengthening of the muscular fibers that is completed with forceful ankle dorsiflexion. After proper hemostasis has been achieved, the subcutaneous layer and skin are closed, leaving the fascia open.
ALTERNATIVES
Nonoperative treatment should be the first option, including analgesics, insoles, heel cups, calf-stretching, injections, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Some authors have also suggested that application of a walking cast for 3 to 6 weeks should be attempted. Once all of these treatment options have failed, operative treatment is appropriate. Historically, open plantar fasciotomy was offered to patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis, and this treatment continues to be a surgical option. Other procedure, like the Strayer, Vulpius, or Baumann techniques, involve the calf system and are called "gastrocnemius recession." However, these techniques act in the more distal aspect of the calf system compared with PMGR.
RATIONALE
PMGR offers patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis rapid recovery and good results. This procedure obviates the complications associated with plantar fasciotomy, in which the medial aspect of the proximal plantar fascia is divided to relieve the overload. A plantar fasciotomy (either open or endoscopic) risks lateral column overload or a painful flatfoot if >50% of the fascia is divided. A long recovery period following plantar fasciotomy has also been described. On the other hand, other procedures have been utilized to lengthen the Achilles-calcaneus-plantar system to an even greater extent. Techniques like the Silfverskiöld (i.e., medial and lateral proximal gastrocnemius release) or Strayer (i.e., division of the distal aspect of the gastrocnemius fascia) technique present a higher rate of complications (up to 38%), specifically nerve injuries. We consider these procedures (classified as gastrocnemius recession procedures) more properly indicated for patients with neurological diseases or with an equinus contracture. The medial gastrocnemius is the more powerful of the 2 bellies. Releasing the medial head alone offers a robust decrease in tension and is safer than approaching the lateral head of the gastrocnemius. At the same time, this technique provides a quick recovery for the patient. PMGR can also help those patients with other clinical signs related to gastrocnemius tightness, such as calf cramps and pain or repeated muscle injuries. Moreover, it can be effective in patients with second-rocker metatarsalgia or midportion Achilles tendinitis.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
PMGR has a reported rate of satisfaction of >80%. Most patients undergoing this procedure experience substantial pain relief within the first 2 to 3 months. PMGR is an outpatient procedure with a short operative time and a rapid return to recreational and labor activities. The complication rate is low, and the most common complications are calf hematomas and delayed wound healing. The present article demonstrates a reduction in pain and good functional results. An improvement in the perception of health-related quality of life, especially in the physical and pain domains of the Short Form-36 questionnaire, was also observed.
IMPORTANT TIPS
The prone position allows for direct access to the proximal medial head of the gastrocnemius. Preferably, perform PMGR without a tourniquet in order to assure proper hemostasis. Keep the ankle joint free at the end of operating table because ankle dorsiflexion is a helpful maneuver at some stages in this procedure. Digital (index finger) dissection should be performed among the medial head of the gastrocnemius, the hamstrings, and the posterior aspect of the proximal tibia. The hook maneuver, performed with use of a blunt dissector, is helpful to identify all of the white fibers. Only white fibers should be divided. The surgeon must also make sure to cut the more anterior part of the aponeurosis that is hidden by red fibers. After cutting the white fibers, forceful ankle dorsiflexion is required to obtain full lengthening of the muscle. Proper hemostasis should be achieved to prevent formation of a calf hematoma. Advise the patient to do calf-stretches as soon as pain permits in order to prevent a contracting muscle scar.
ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS
PMGR = proximal medial gastrocnemius releaseESWT = extracorporeal shock wave therapySD = standard deviation.
PubMed: 35692721
DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.ST.20.00039 -
Cureus Sep 2023Congenital vertical talus (CVT) is the presence of rigid flatfoot deformity characterized by hindfoot valgus and equinus. This foot deformity is associated with midfoot... (Review)
Review
Congenital vertical talus (CVT) is the presence of rigid flatfoot deformity characterized by hindfoot valgus and equinus. This foot deformity is associated with midfoot dorsiflexion and forefoot abduction due to a fixed dorsal dislocation of the navicular relative to the head of the talus. It is often underdiagnosed in children due to its similarity to other disorders of the foot. Misdiagnosis of CVT and subsequent failure to address it leads to significant disability and pain. While past surgical management consisted of soft tissue releases that produced varying efficacy, current management of CVT consists of serial casting and minimally invasive procedures that have yielded excellent long-term outcomes. This review provides insight into the diagnosis and treatment of CVT with the intention of highlighting the importance of promptness of intervention to prevent further disability.
PubMed: 37753062
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45867 -
European Journal of Physical and... Jun 2023Flatfoot is a musculoskeletal problem associated with dysfunctional active and passive supporting structures of the normal foot curvature. Strengthening of the intrinsic... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Flatfoot is a musculoskeletal problem associated with dysfunctional active and passive supporting structures of the normal foot curvature. Strengthening of the intrinsic foot muscles or using shoe orthosis are recommend treatment approaches. However, investigating the effect of combining both approaches is still warranted.
AIM
To examine the effect of applying short foot exercises (SFE) combined with shoe insole versus shoe insole alone on foot pressure measures, pain, function and navicular drop in individuals with symptomatic flexible flatfoot.
DESIGN
Prospective, active control, parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial and intention-to-treat analysis.
SETTING
Outpatient physical therapy clinic of a university teaching hospital.
POPULATION
Forty participants with symptomatic flexible flatfoot.
METHODS
A six-week treatment protocol of SFE (three sets of 10 repetitions a day) in addition to shoe insole (eight hours a day) (experimental group, N.=20) or shoe insole only (eight hours a day) (control group, N.=20). Clinic visits were made at baseline and every two weeks for monitoring and follow-up. The static and dynamic foot area, force and pressure measures, pain, lower extremity function, and navicular drop were assessed at baseline and postintervention.
RESULTS
Forty participants joined the study and 37 (92.5%) completed the six-week intervention period. Foot pressure, pain and function showed a significant interaction (P=0.02 - <0.001) and time (P<0.001) effects with a non-significant group effect in favor of the experimental group. Post-hoc analysis revealed that the experimental group had lesser pain (P=0.002) and better function (P=0.03) than the control group at six weeks. Navicular drop decreased equally in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of shoe insole and SFE for six weeks improved pain and function and altered foot pressure distribution greater than shoe insole alone in patients with symptomatic flatfoot.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT
Wearing shoe insole is an easy, but passive, treatment approach for a flatfoot problem. This study provided evidence regarding the added benefit of SFE. It is recommended that rehabilitation practitioners implement a comprehensive treatment protocol including both shoe insole and SFE for at least six weeks to achieve better results for their flatfoot patients.
Topics: Humans; Flatfoot; Prospective Studies; Foot Orthoses; Foot; Pain
PubMed: 36988565
DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.23.07846-2 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jan 2023Pes planovalgus (PV) in early childhood is a common physiological state, and usually resolves throughout childhood. Parental concern often leads to seeking medical... (Review)
Review
Pes planovalgus (PV) in early childhood is a common physiological state, and usually resolves throughout childhood. Parental concern often leads to seeking medical advice. This review summarises the current knowledge of the different types of PV. Asymptomatic PV does not need treatment, but corrective footwear can be utilised for painful PV. Orthopaedic referral is needed if conservative treatment is not sufficient. It is important to distinguish between flexible and rigid PV, since rigid PV can be a sign of underlying pathologies and needs referral to orthopaedic surgeons. Further studies are needed to investigate for predictive factors to develop painful PV.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Humans; Conservative Treatment; Flatfoot; Osteotomy; Pain
PubMed: 36636936
DOI: No ID Found -
PloS One 2018Due to inconclusive evidence on the effects of foot orthoses treatment on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in children, studies are needed that particularly evaluate... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Due to inconclusive evidence on the effects of foot orthoses treatment on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in children, studies are needed that particularly evaluate the long-term use of foot orthoses on lower limb alignment during walking. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term treatment with arch support foot orthoses versus a sham condition on lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during walking in children with flexible flat feet.
METHODS
Thirty boys aged 8-12 years with flexible flat feet participated in this study. While the experimental group (n = 15) used medial arch support foot orthoses during everyday activities over a period of four months, the control group (n = 15) received flat 2-mm-thick insoles (i.e., sham condition) for the same time period. Before and after the intervention period, walking kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected.
RESULTS
Significant group by time interactions were observed during walking at preferred gait speed for maximum ankle eversion, maximum ankle internal rotation angle, minimum knee abduction angle, maximum knee abduction angle, maximum knee external rotation angle, maximum knee internal rotation angle, maximum hip extension angle, and maximum hip external rotation angle in favor of the foot orthoses group. In addition, statistically significant group by time interactions were detected for maximum posterior, and vertical ground reaction forces in favor of the foot orthoses group.
CONCLUSIONS
The long-term use of arch support foot orthoses proved to be feasible and effective in boys with flexible flat feet to improve lower limb alignment during walking.
Topics: Ankle Joint; Child; Feasibility Studies; Flatfoot; Foot; Foot Orthoses; Humans; Knee Joint; Long-Term Care; Male; Range of Motion, Articular; Rotation; Treatment Outcome; Walking
PubMed: 30300405
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205187 -
Medicine Mar 2020Flexible flatfoot is a condition characterized by the deformations of the foot where the calcaneus is pronated by weight support. Flat feet can affect balance and the... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Flexible flatfoot is a condition characterized by the deformations of the foot where the calcaneus is pronated by weight support. Flat feet can affect balance and the entire chain of motion, causing indirect problems in adjacent joints. We investigated the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) using visual feedback on the static balance and function of proximal joints in subjects with flexible flat feet.
METHOD AND ANALYSIS
This study involved 30 participants who were assigned to either of the 2 groups: the flexible flatfoot group (n = 15, 8 men and 7 women, aged 22.00 ± 2.07 years) and normal foot group (n = 15, 7 men and 8 women, aged 22.13 ± 1.55 years). All subjects performed the SFE with visual feedback. SFE programs were performed 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for a total of 5 weeks. The static balance and accuracy of knee joint motions were compared before and after training.
RESULTS
There was a significant difference in static balance pre- and post-exercise in the flatfoot group but not in the normal foot group. Moreover, in the flatfoot group, the accuracy of knee joint motions was significantly different between pre- and post-exercise in the closed chain but not in the open chain.
CONCLUSION
This study examined the influence of SFE using visual feedback on the balance and accuracy of knee joint movements in subjects with flatfoot and demonstrated that this exercise, using visual feedback, improved the balance and accuracy of knee movement.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Exercise Therapy; Feedback, Sensory; Female; Flatfoot; Humans; Knee Joint; Male; Postural Balance; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 32221061
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019260