American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Clinical Consensus Statement: Appropriate Clinical Management of Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity.

This clinical consensus statement of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons focuses on the highly debated subject of the management of adult flatfoot (AAFD). In developing this statement, the AAFD consensus statement panel attempted to address the most relevant issues facing the foot and ankle surgeon today, using the best evidence-based literature available. The panel created and researched 16 statements and generated opinions on the appropriateness of the statements. The results of the research on this topic and the opinions of the panel are presented here.

Neural Fibrolipoma of the Ankle: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Neural fibrolipomas are exceedingly rare benign tumors composed of hypertrophied fibrofatty tissue intermixed with nerve tissues. Our review of the published data identified only 15 cases of this tumor involving the foot and/or ankle region. An otherwise healthy 35-year-old male was referred for evaluation of a painless soft tissue mass present in the anterior left ankle. The mass had been present for approximately 6 to 7 years and had recently increased in size. Physical examination demonstrated a prominent, fluctuant mass present in the left ankle measuring 4 cm in diameter. The mass was not well-defined, was immobile, and did not transilluminate. No gross pedal deformity was present. Radiographic imaging revealed increased soft tissue prominence and density to the anterior ankle without bone involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mass isointense to fat on all sequences without contrast enhancement, suggestive of a lipoma. Surgical excision was performed; the mass was yellow and lipomatous in nature. The mass was intimately associated with the superficial peroneal nerve, which had to be sacrificed during excision. The pathologic examination of the mass revealed findings consistent with a neural fibrolipoma. The patient healed uneventfully without recurrence. His only complaint was of some residual numbness in the medial foot.

Posterior Ankle Impingement.

This article is devoted to managing posterior ankle impingement syndrome and its management using endoscopic to arthroscopic surgical instrumentation. The authors explore the critical anatomy, pathogenesis, and clinical examination. Operative techniques, including the approach, and instrumentation used, are outlined. The postoperative protocol is discussed. Finally, a literature review is provided, which also defines known complications.

Anatomic and Biomechanical Considerations of Flatfoot Deformity.

In this article, the authors present essential anatomy in the presence of the postural flat foot. There is a recognition of static versus dynamic stabilizers of the foot. In the continuum of the collapsed foot, there is an exploration of anatomic and pathologic changes. Providing this fundamental knowledge will allow the reader to appreciate the disease process to establish a prognosis and consider treatment alternatives.

Allograft Cartilage Replacements.

The body's ability to repair injured articular cartilage is poor due to the inherent physiology of cartilage. Joint arthritis, whether through injury or increasing age, is a prevalent condition. Treatment of an articular cartilage injury may include arthroplasty, fusion, or repair. A popular pathway of treatment in a salvageable joint is often to avoid donor site morbidity and place increased effort to reestablish native cartilage with the use of allografts. This article discusses current research on acellular and cellular allografts for articular cartilage restoration.

Arthroscopic Approach to Posterior Ankle Impingement.

Posterior ankle pain can occur for many reasons. If it is produced by forced plantarflexion of the foot, it is often a result of impingement from an enlarged posterior talar process or an os trigonum. This condition may present in an acute or chronic state. Management is initially nonoperative, but surgical treatments are available. This condition is often seen in athletes, so procedures that limit surgical trauma and allow early return to activity are ideal. An arthroscopic approach for this disorder produces good outcomes with limited complications. Understanding the indications, local anatomy, and surgical technique, allows good, reproducible outcomes.