What is the evidence for efficacy, effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for plantar fasciopathy? A systematic review.

AIMS: To systematically review randomised control trials (RCT's) assessing the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions in adults with plantar fasciopathy (PF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, trial registries and references lists. RCT's comparing surgical interventions with non-surgical or surgical comparisons in adults with PF were included. Primary outcomes were changes in first step pain severity/intensity, and incidence/nature of adverse events. Secondary outcomes included foot and ankle related disability/function, health related quality of life, cost effectiveness, changes in other reported measures of pain and medication use. Data were extracted at short-term (≤3 months post-intervention), medium-term (>3months-≤6 months post-intervention) or long-term (>6 months-≤2 years post-treatment). Certainty of evidence was evaluated using the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: From 3620 screened records, we included 8 studies comprising 345 patients. Substantial variation across trials precluded meta-analysis, hence a narrative synthesis was conducted. We judged all studies to have high risk of bias. For all outcome comparisons our GRADE judgement for the certainty of the evidence was very low. Three studies compared one type of surgery with another largely showing little to no difference in outcomes for pain, function or quality of life. Five studies compared surgery with non-surgical interventions-three providing very low certainty evidence that surgery may improve pain and function at long-term follow-up compared to non-surgical comparisons, whereas two studies provided no long-term between-group differences. Reporting of adverse events were inadequate, inconsistent or absent across all studies. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of high certainty evidence to support or refute the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions in the management of PF. We make recommendations for improving the evidence base in this field.

Foot and ankle injuries related to the use of E-scooters - A case series and a review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: As E-scooter use is increasing with the introduction of urban rental schemes in the United Kingdom, associated foot and ankle injuries will become more prevalent. The aim of this study is to assess the injury pattern and injury severity of foot and ankle trauma associated with E-scooter use. METHODS: A retrospective case analysis of all E-scooter foot and ankle injuries presenting to three London hospitals between 1st January and 31st December 2020 was conducted. Data including demographics, mechanism and location of injury sustained, management, duration of hospital stay and mortality were collected. RESULTS: 20 patients were identified with a total of 27 foot and ankle fractures. Eight patients had fracture dislocations, four sustained open injuries and 45% (9/20) of patients required surgical treatment. Those travelling over 15.5 mph were significantly more likely to require operative intervention (70%) than those travelling below 15.5 mph (20%) (P < 0.033) and were more likely to have an open fracture (40% compared to 0%) (P < 0.0886), however the latter was not of statistical significance. 85% (17/20) of rider's injuries involved the foot and/or ankle only. There were no mortalities at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: E-scooter use can cause serious foot and ankle injuries. Robust guidelines and legislation restricting top speeds and enforcing the wearing of protective clothing could be implemented. This may protect the E-scooter user from significant foot and ankle injury.

What is the evidence for efficacy, effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for plantar fasciopathy? Protocol for a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is a degenerative condition of the plantar fascia, secondary to repetitive overloading. For the majority, PF is self-limiting with greater than 80% of those affected gaining complete resolution within 1 year. However, persistent symptoms develop in approximately 10% of cases. Clinical practice guidelines for first-line treatment of PF recommend conservative management. For people with persistent symptoms that have not resolved following a trial of 6-12 months of conservative management, surgery may be offered. However, to date there are no systematic reviews of the effectiveness of the various surgical procedures for PF. We aim to systematically review quantitative studies assessing the effectiveness of surgical interventions in the management of PF. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search for all published and unpublished randomised clinical trials evaluating surgical interventions in the management of PF. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), Web of Science (ISI) and Google Scholar will be searched without restrictions on date or language of publication. Inclusion criteria will include people over 18 years, diagnosed by clinical examination with PF, or with an alternative diagnostic label (eg, plantar fasciitis, plantar heel pain, plantar fasciosis). The primary outcomes are changes in pain severity/intensity for first-step pain, and incidence and nature of adverse events. Secondary outcomes include foot and ankle-related disability/function, health-related quality of life, cost-effectiveness, changes in other reported measures of pain (eg, overall pain) and medication use. Outcomes will be assessed (1) short term (≤3 months after intervention), (2) medium term (>3 months to ≤6 months after intervention) or (3) long term (>6 months to ≤2 years after treatment). All data extraction will be performed by at least two independent reviewers on the basis of a priori developed extraction form. Where adequate data are found meta-analysis will be used to combine the results of studies for all core comparisons and outcomes using random effects models. Overall certainty of the evidence for each outcome will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review does not require ethical approval as primary data will not be collected. The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at appropriate conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019133563.