Freiberg Disease and Avascular Necrosis of the Metatarsal Heads.

Freiberg disease is characterized as osteochondrosis of the second metatarsal head. It is the fourth most common form of primary osteochondrosis with a significant predilection to the adolescent athletic female population, although it has been seen over a wide age range. If treated early, osteochondroses such as Freiberg disease are essentially self-limiting, often resolving with nonoperative management. When surgery is warranted, it is imperative the patient's age, activity level, and degree of articular deformity be taken into account.

Overview of Metatarsalgia.

Metatarsalgia can be viewed as more of a symptom rather than a distinct diagnosis. Timing of forefoot pain during the gait cycle and evaluation of whether the pain is from anatomic abnormalities, indirect overloading, or iatrogenic causes can suggest a specific metatarsalgia etiology. A thorough physical examination of the lower extremity, especially evaluation of the plantar foot, and weight-bearing radiographs are critical for diagnosis and treatment. Nonoperative treatment consists of physical therapy, orthotics, shoe wear modification, and injections. If conservative treatment fails, surgical options may be considered. [Orthopedics. 2019; 42(1):e138-e143.].

Pediatric Pain Syndromes and Noninflammatory Musculoskeletal Pain.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is one of the main reasons for referral to a pediatric rheumatologist and is the third most common cause of chronic pain in children and adolescents. Causes of CMP include amplified musculoskeletal pain, benign limb pain of childhood, hypermobility, overuse syndromes, and back pain. CMP can negatively affect physical, social, academic, and psychological function so it is essential that clinicians know how to diagnose and treat these conditions. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology and impact of CMP, the steps in a comprehensive pain assessment, and the management of the most common CMPs.

A case of Riley Ruvalcaba syndrome with a novel PTEN mutation accompanied by diffuse testicular microlithiasis and precocious puberty.

BACKGROUND: Bannayan Riley Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS) is exceedingly rare, with only about 50 reported cases to date. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a patient with hypoglycemia, precocious puberty and diffuse testicular microlithiasis accompanying BRRS, and think that this case is important in the light of a newly identified mutation in the PTEN gene. CONCLUSIONS: Close attention must be paid in terms of PTEN mutations in cases of macrocephaly and accompanying neurological and dermatological findings.

Weil and Dorsal Closing Wedge Osteotomy for Freiberg's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Weil osteotomy is a type of distal osteotomy for the treatment of lesser metatarsalgia by shortening the metatarsal length. We applied Weil and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy for the treatment of Freiberg's disease. METHODS: Between September 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011, we performed Weil and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the second metatarsal in 15 feet of 15 patients (12 women, three men) diagnosed as having Freiberg's disease. The mean patient age was 29 years (range, 19-51 years), and mean follow-up was 47 months (range, 36-72 months). Postoperative shortening of the metatarsal length was measured by comparing preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Visual analog scale scores, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scores, and the passive range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint were evaluated at 24 months. RESULTS: The mean postoperative shortening of the metatarsal length was 3.2 mm. The mean visual analog scale and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores were 7.2 and 52.4 points preoperatively and 2.1 and 78.2 points at 24 months, respectively (P < .05). The mean range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint increased from 29.4° preoperatively to 46.5° postoperatively (P < .05). Various degrees of remodeling were observed at the dorsum of the metatarsal head at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Weil and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the metatarsal seems to be effective for treating Freiberg's disease. It improves pain and function in terms of shortening the metatarsal length and restoring the metatarsophalangeal joint.

First-Person Long-term Follow-up Using Autologous Mosaicplasty for Osteochondral Lesion Accompanying Femoral Head Fracture.

UNLABELLED: I present my perspective as a patient and surgeon on complete functional recovery after a devastating hip injury. This report represents the longest follow-up in the literature for autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty to treat an osteochondral defect associated with a femoral head fracture. I was 21 years old when I fractured my hip in a skiing accident. Days after immediate reduction, arthroscopy was attempted but converted to open reduction internal fixation with osteochondral autograft for a type II Pipkin fracture and associated osteochondral injury. Joint preservation was intended to delay hip replacement that was forecasted within a decade given the extent of disease. Thirteen years later, I remain pain-free with a Harris hip score of 100. I perform surgery daily and enjoy long-distance running despite radiographic follow-up at 8 years that demonstrated evolving degenerative change. Because of the incongruity of pain, function, and radiologic findings, I hesitate to obtain additional imaging. I prefer to remain ignorant of the radiologic status of my hip joint, relying instead on prospective pain and impairment. My experience illustrates that full recovery and return-to-sport can be achieved and persist for years. The relevance of imaging after joint preservation surgery is questionable in the absence of symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Factors Associated with Pain Severity in Children with Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever Disease).

OBJECTIVE: To identify any association between the pain experienced as a result of calcaneal apophysitis, anthropometric data, and lower limb measurements. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional study, nested within a wider randomized, comparative efficacy trial. One hundred twenty-four children between the ages of 8 and 14 years with a clinical diagnosis of calcaneal apophysitis were recruited for this study. Of the participating children, 72 were male. The measures recorded were height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, foot posture, and ankle joint range of motion; comparison with normative values was also completed. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were undertaken to identify factors associated with the severity of pain experienced (visual analog scale). RESULTS: The children within this study had a higher mean body mass index (P < .001), increased weight (P < .001), and were taller (P < .001) compared with normative values. The children also demonstrated differences in foot posture and ankle joint range of motion. Multivariable regression analyses identified that older participants (P = .046) and those who had experienced pain for longer (P = .043) reported higher pain severity. CONCLUSIONS: Children presenting with calcaneal apophysitis were anthropometrically different from their peers and had experienced a lengthy period of pain. Therefore, early management focussing on the anthropometric differences may minimize the intensity and duration of pain experienced. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12609000696291.

Interpositional arthroplasty with palmaris longus tendon graft for osteonecrosis of the second metatarsal head: a case report.

Osteonecrosis of the second metatarsal head is often attributed to Freiberg's disease. We describe the case of a 27-year-old Taiwanese male soldier with persistent painful disability of the right forefoot of 9 months' duration, but no history of trauma. A series of radiographs suggested the diagnosis of late-stage Freiberg's disease. The lesion was treated with interpositional arthroplasty using a palmaris longus tendon graft, in a modification of the traditional interpositional arthroplastic technique for treating Freiberg's disease. After 2 years of follow-up examinations, the patient was satisfied with the clinical outcome, despite having a limited range of motion of the right second metatarsophalangeal joint relative to the adjacent toes. The patient returned to his army group with functional activity that was better than he had experienced before surgery. We believe this modified interpositional arthroplastic treatment strategy will provide more symptom relief and satisfactory functionality for the treatment of late-stage Freiberg's disease.

Comparison of quantitative and semiquantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with respect to their correlation to delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the cartilage in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between semiquantitative and quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) parameters with delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cartilage (dGEMRIC). METHODS: Fifteen patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the ArthroMark cohort were investigated at a 3-T MRI scanner. The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the index finger was examined with DCE-MRI and dGEMRIC. Semiquantitative and quantitative DCE perfusion parameters were calculated. The RA MRI score of the second MCP joint and the joint space width were measured. RESULTS: Significant correlations were noted between both semiquantitative and quantitative DCE parameters and the RA MRI score of the second MCP joint. There was a significant negative correlation between DCE parameters and dGEMRIC. No association between joint space width and DCE parameters was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Semiquantitative and quantitative analyses of perfusion are applicable to show that cartilage damage correlates with the inflammation activity despite the absence of joint space narrowing.

Traction apophysitis of the fifth metatarsal base in a child: Iselin's disease.

Although Iselin's disease, apophysitis of the fifth metatarsal base, is not infrequent in clinical practice, it is accepted as a rare cause of lateral foot pain in young adolescents. Usually a simple clinical examination and radiographs are sufficient for diagnosis. We present a patient with Iselin's disease and discuss its clinical and radiographic characteristics, differential diagnosis, aetiopathogenesis and treatment.

Increasing lateral tibial slope: is there an association with articular cartilage changes in the knee?

PURPOSE: The geometry of the lateral tibial slope (LTS) plays an important role in the overall biomechanics of the knee. Through this study, we aim to assess the impact of LTS on cartilage degeneration in the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 93 knee MRI scans (1.5 T or 3 T) for patients aged 20-45 years with no history of trauma or knee surgery, and absence of internal derangement. The LTS was calculated using the circle method. Chondropathy was graded from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe). Linear regression analysis was used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In our cohort of patients, a statistically significant association was seen between increasing LTS and worsening cartilage degenerative changes in the medial patellar articular surface and the lateral tibial articular surface (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant association between increasing LTS and worsening chondropathy of the lateral patellar, medial trochlea, lateral trochlea, medial femoral, lateral femoral, and medial tibial articular surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a statistically significant association between increasing LTS and worsening cartilage degenerative changes in the medial patella and the lateral tibial plateau. We speculate that increased LTS may result in increased femoral glide over the lateral tibial plateau with subsequent increased external rotation of the femur predisposing to patellofemoral articular changes. Future arthroscopic studies are needed to further confirm our findings.

Low-grade osteomyelitis of the fifth metatarsal with possible concomitant Freiberg's disease of the metatarsal head.

Freiberg's disease, metatarsal avascular necrosis, is most often seen in healthy athletic adolescent girls. Presenting symptoms include vague pain, swelling, and loss of motion in the involved metatarsophalangeal joints. Low-grade osteomyelitis often is difficult to identify. In this case report, we present a 14-year-old girl with low-grade osteomyelitis of the fifth metatarsal accompanied by possible Freiberg's disease in the same metatarsal.

Percutaneous osteoplasty for the treatment of a painful osteochondral lesion of the talus: a case report and literature review.

An osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) is a lesion involving the talar articular cartilage and its subchondral bone. OLT is a known cause of chronic ankle pain after ankle sprains in the active population. The lesion causes deep ankle pain associated with weight-bearing, impaired function, limited range of motion, stiffness, catching, locking, and swelling. There are 2 common patterns of OLTs. Anterolateral talar dome lesions result from inversion and dorsiflexion injuries of the ankle at the area impacting against the fibula. Posteromedial lesions result from inversion, plantar flexion, and external rotation injuries of the ankle at the area impacting against the tibial ceiling of the ankle joint. Early diagnosis of an OLT is particularly important because the tibiotalar joint is exposed to more compressive load per unit area than any other joint in the body. Failure of diagnosis can lead to the evolution of a small, stable lesion into a larger lesion or an unstable fragment, which can result in chronic pain, joint instability, and premature osteoarthritis. A 43-year-old man, with a history of ankle sprain one year previously, visited our pain clinic for continuous right ankle pain after walking or standing for more than 30 minutes. There was a focal tenderness on the posteromedial area of the right talus. Imaging studies revealed a posteromedial OLT classified as having a geode form according to the FOG (fractures, osteonecroses, geodes) radiological classification and categorized as a stage 2a lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was scheduled for aspiration and osteoplasty with hydroxyapatite under arthroscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. A 26-gauge needle was inserted to infiltrate local anesthetics into the skin over the cyst and ankle joint. An arthroscope was placed into the joint to approach the OLT. The arthroscopic view showed that there was no connection between the OLT and the cyst of the talus body. A 13-gauge bone biopsy needle was inserted into the cyst, and aspiration was performed. Aspirated fluid from the cyst was originally white and clear; however, it changed to a blood-tinged, reddish color due to mixing with the incisional blood. After aspiration, contrast medium was injected, and the shape of the spread was observed. Bone cement comprising hydroxyapatite was injected to fill the bone defect of the cyst. A 1.5 mL volume of cement was injected into the talus under vigilant fluoroscopic and arthroscopic monitoring to prevent its dissemination into the joint. There was no cement leakage into the vessels or articular space. Postoperative fluoroscopy and computed tomography images showed bone cement filling of the defect. In the present case, arthroscopic and fluoroscopic guidance was used for aspiration of an OLT and for performing percutaneous osteoplasty with hydroxyapatite for one defect; this treatment decreased pain upon weight bearing and enabled a return to work without any restrictions one week after the procedure. The purpose of this report was to highlight the presence of OLT in chronic ankle pain and to review its management strategies.

Adipokine actions on cartilage homeostasis.

Epidemiological studies have shown an intriguing correlation between obesity and articular cartilage disease. An increase in mechanical forces across weight-bearing joints has long been considered the primary factor leading to joint degeneration. However, emerging data suggest that additional soluble factors such as the adipocyte-derived molecules "adipokines" may also play an important role in the onset and progression of weight-associated cartilage degradative process. Adipokines are pleiotropic secretory molecules mainly produced by white adipose tissue. Adipokines exert their actions through endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, or juxtacrine cross talk in a wide variety of physiological or pathophysiological processes. In particular, they are mainly involved in the regulation of food intake and energy metabolism, in both health and disease states, and in the inflammatory response. Recent observations have shown that, among adipokines, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, and apelin may also participate to the complex mechanisms that regulate skeleton biology, both at bone and cartilage level. Herein, we review the present knowledge about the role of these adipokines in cartilage function as well as in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Moreover, we describe some methodological approaches which can be utilized in the measurement of these adipokines in different biological matrices, like plasma and synovial fluid (SF), and may be helpful to better clarify the involvement of these molecules in cartilage disease.

Pain in osteochondral lesions.

Pain is the key symptom of patients suffering from osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the ankle joint. Routine radiographic imaging methods for diagnosis and staging of OCL fail to visualize the pain-inducing focus within the joint. SPECT-CT (Single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography) is a new hybrid imaging technique allowing exact digital fusion of scintigraphic and computer tomographic images. This allows precise localization and size determination of an OCL within the joint. Using this novel imaging method, we conducted a study to evaluate the correlation between pathological uptake within an OCL and pain experienced by patients suffering from this condition; 15 patients were assessed in the orthopaedic ambulatory clinic for unilateral OCL of the ankle joint. Pain status was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A SPECT-CT was performed. All patients underwent CT-guided ankle injection with a local anesthetic and iodine contrast medium. The VAS score assessed immediately postinfiltration was compared with the preinterventional VAS score obtained in the outpatient clinic. Pain relief was defined as a reduction of the VAS score to ≤50% of the preinterventional score, if expected immediately after infiltration. Pain relief was found in all 15 patients. The results of our study show that there is a highly significant correlation between pain and pathological uptake seen on SPECT-CT, indicating that pathologically remodeled bone tissue is an important contributor to pain in OCL. Adequate addressing of involved bone tissue needs to be taken into consideration when choosing a surgical treatment method.