Fibrocartilaginous Tissue: Why Does It Fail to Heal?

Tendons and ligaments are critical components in the function of the musculoskeletal system, as they provide stability and guide motion for the biomechanical transmission of forces into bone. Several common injuries in the foot and ankle require the repair of ruptured or attenuated tendon or ligament to its osseous insertion. Understanding the structure and function of injured ligaments and tendons is complicated by the variability and unpredictable nature of their healing. The healing process at the tendon/ligament to bone interface is challenging and often frustrating to foot and ankle surgeons, as they have a high failure rate necessitating the need for revision.

Rare Pedal Manifestation of Diffuse Multiple Myeloma Lesions.

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cell proliferation leading to production of monoclonal immunoglobins. Among the classic features of multiple myeloma are bone lesions, which typically manifest in the axial skeleton, vertebrae, pelvis, skull, ribs, and proximal extremities. The several types of multiple myeloma include symptomatic multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering/indolent myeloma, and solitary plasmacytoma of bone. Although rare, plasmacytomas of the foot and ankle have been described in published studies. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first description of classic diffuse myelomatosis lesions associated with symptomatic myeloma in the foot of a patient with advanced disease who was treated in the podiatric surgery clinic for pathologic fracture.

Rare Proximal Diaphyseal Stress Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Associated With Metatarsus Adductus.

Before the report of English surgeon Robert Jones, who sustained a fracture to his fifth metatarsal while dancing around a tent pole, metatarsal fractures were thought to be the result of direct trauma to the foot. The mechanism of metatarsal fractures, in particular, those involving the fifth metatarsal, is now well understood. Patients with an adducted alignment of their forefoot can overload the fifth metatarsal base, putting them at an increased risk of fractures of this bone. Studies have reported that 2 distinct types of proximal diaphyseal or junctional fractures of the fifth metatarsal occur: the acute proximal diaphyseal or transverse proximal diaphyseal fracture and the proximal diaphyseal stress fracture. The radiographic characteristics associated with proximal diaphyseal stress fractures of the fifth metatarsal can vary by the chronicity; however, the findings typically entail a radiolucent fracture line with surrounding reactive sclerosis. In addition, a reduced medullary canal width can be appreciated. In the present retrospective analysis of patients with stress-related trauma to the fifth metatarsal base with an adducted forefoot, 2012 foot trauma cases were reviewed at 3 separate institutions. Of the 2012 cases, 22 (1.11%) met the outlined criteria of stress fractures of the fifth metatarsal base and underlying metatarsus adductus.

Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the midfoot in the absence of a pulmonary lesion: a case report.

A 57-year-old Somalian woman presented to the podiatry clinic in 2001, 9 years after immigrating to the United States, with a complaint of right foot pain overlying the Lisfranc joint after a twisting injury. Radiographs and CT scans showed no signs of fracture. One year later, the patient presented with painful, swollen soft tissues mass overlying the previous injury area. MRI revealed heterogeneous masses with underlying bony erosions. Soft tissue biopsy revealed a granulomatous lesion, suspect for Mycobacterium. A subsequent bone biopsy produced an acid-fast bacillus by DNA-RNA probe consistent with Mycobacterium species. The patient had a positive Mantoux test, but a negative chest X-ray, displaying no constitutive symptoms of fatigue or weight loss associated with most cases of tuberculosis. She was treated with anti-tuberculin medications for 9 months and conservative management of the bony lesions with a complete resolution of symptoms.