Relationship Between Hallux Valgus and Pes Planus: Real or Fiction?

Hallux valgus is one of the most common and painful deformities, occurring due to adductor/abductor imbalance of the big toe. Many structural foot disorders have been suggested as the cause of hallux valgus deformity. In this study, we aimed to show the relationship between hallux valgus and pes planus in adult males. A total of 213 patients were included in this study between May 2013 and May 2014. 54 patients with hallux valgus angle (HVA) >20° and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) >9° were evaluated in the case group and 159 patients randomly selected from those admitted for a recent foot ankle trauma with the HVA <15° and IMA <9° were the control group. All patients' HVA, IMA, and talonavicular coverage angle on anteroposterior (AP) foot radiographs and talar-first metatarsal angle (Meary's angle), calcaneal pitch angle, and lateral talocalcaneal angle on lateral foot radiographs were measured. There was no significant difference in talonavicular and Meary's angles between the groups. Calcaneal pitch angle was significantly lower in the case group, whereas talonavicular angle was higher in the control group. Calcaneal pitch angle and lateral talocalcaneal angle showed significant negative correlation with HVA and IMA. There are few reports in the literature about the relationship between pes planus and hallux valgus. Our results strongly showed a high correlation between pes planus and hallux valgus. Further larger patient cohort studies are needed to support our results.

An anatomical examination of iatrogenic nerve injury during inside out meniscus repair with flexion and extension of the knee.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to assess the safe, risky and high-risky zones by measuring the proximity of the needles to the peroneal and saphenous nerves in millimeters for the repair of tears of the anterior, middle and posterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci at flexion and extension position during inside-out repair technique. METHODS: First, a cadaveric study was conducted on 10 cadaver knees in which both (lateral and medial) menisci were divided into anterior, corpus and posterior with the longitudinal tear simulating in each section. The next phase involved the suture of the simulated tears of the menisci while the knee was at 90° of flexion and full extension. Finally, the distance from the exit points of the K-wire being inserted through meniscal anterior, corpus and posterior tears to the aforementioned nerves was measured with a digital caliper. RESULTS: The distance between K-wire exit points and neurovascular structures concerning corpus and anterior horn tear repair of both menisci were considered far away and not included. However, closer posterior menisci measurements were taken to avoid the risk of iatrogenic nerve injury. The measured distances for lateral meniscus posterior tears were recorded 11±5.2 mm at 90° of flexion and 8±4.5 mm at extension, whereas those recorded 17.3±5.7 mm at 90° of flexion and 13.7±4.7 mm at extension for medial meniscus. These variables were evaluated statistically using a paired t-test; the mean of t value was not considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the inside-out technique at knee flexion is safe even in the posterior meniscus tears. However, safety distance can be increased with the higher flexion degrees of the knee. Lastly, in posterior meniscal tear repair, we recommend either retractor assisted mini-open technique at knee flexion, or all-inside suture technique, to avoid nerve injury risk in this zone. Although many surgeons do not prefer inside-out techniques for posterior menisci tears, inside-out posterior meniscal repair of both menisci is as safe as an all-inside technique using retractor assisted mini-open technique with the knee at higher than 90° flexion.

Total hip arthroplasty with rectangular stems and subtrochanteric transverse shortening osteotomy in Crowe type IV hips: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The complexity of femoral and acetabular anatomy and restoring anatomic center of hip rotation in Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) complicates standard reconstruction. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical techniques and clinical outcomes of subtrochanteric transverse shortening osteotomy with the use of cementless rectangular cross-section femoral implants in Crowe IV dysplastic hips. METHODS: A total of 26 hips of 25 consecutive patients with Crowe type IV DDH who underwent cementless total hip arthroplasty with subtrochanteric femoral transverse shortening osteotomy were retrospectively analyzed. The Harris Hip Score, Visual Analog Scale-pain, leg length discrepancy, and vertical and lateral migration of hip rotation center were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age, follow-up, and time of union were 41 ± 9.7 years, 7.1 ± 1.2 years, and 3.7 ± 1.1 months, respectively. Mean Harris Hip Score significantly improved from 38 ± 5.7 to 86 ± 6.1 points postoperatively (P < .01). Mean leg length discrepancy and Visual Analog Scale significantly decreased from 4.3 ± 1.3 to 1.2 ± 0.6 cm, and 6.4 ± 1.2 to 1.8 ± 0.8 points, respectively (P < .01). One female patient had a dislocation due to acetabular liner wear, which was managed by liner and head change. One patient had Sudeck's atrophy, while another had pain on the lateral thigh, both of which were resolved with conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: Combined transverse subtrochanteric femoral osteotomy and cementless total hip arthroplasty with rectangular cross-section femoral implants is technically demanding, effective, and safe in femoral shortening for treatment of Crowe type IV DDH.

Effect of Long-Term Use of Bisphosphonates on Forearm Bone: Atypical Ulna Fractures in Elderly Woman with Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a common musculoskeletal disease of the elderly population characterized by decreased bone mineral density and subsequent fractures. Bisphosphonates are a widely accepted drug therapy which act through inhibition of bone resorption and prevent fractures. However, in long-term use, atypical bisphosphonate induced fractures may occur, particularly involving the lower weight bearing extremity. Atypical ulna fracture associated with long-term bisphosphonate use is rarely reported in current literature. We present a 62-year-old woman with atypical ulna due to long-term alendronate therapy without a history of trauma or fall. Clinicians should be aware of stress fracture in a patient who has complaints of upper extremity pain and history of long-term bisphosphonate therapy.

Correlation between body mass index and quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft size in ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: the aim of this study was to assess the relationship of patient weight, height and body mass index (BMI) with the size of the quadrupled hamstring tendon used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: from patient records, we retrospectively assessed the weight, height, BMI and graft sizes of 126 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using a quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft between January 2010 and January 2013 at our institution. The data obtained from perioperative measurements were studied using correlation analysis. RESULTS: statistically significant relationships were found between patient height and graft diameter (p = 0.033, r = 0.19) and between patient weight and graft diameter (p < 0.0001, r = 0.33). No statistically significant relationships were found between graft diameter and BMI or between graft length and patient height, weight and BMI (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: patient height and weight were found to be related to quadrupled hamstring graft diameter in our patient population. BMI was not related to the quadrupled hamstring graft size. The exact size of the graft cannot be predicted preoperatively on the basis of these variables. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

ASA III osteoporotic fracture in 62 patients treated with vertebroplasty under local anesthesia.

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that may be performed under either local or general anesthesia. In this study, we aimed at assessing the outcomes of the vertebroplasty performed under local anesthesia in patients at high risk of general anesthesia. Vertebroplasty was performed under local anesthesia in the treatment of a total of 62 patients (68 vertebrae in total) with osteoporotic vertebral fractures between 2011 and 2013. None of the patients had a history of trauma. Patients who were classified as ASA III during the preoperative examinations were included in the study. VAS scores were evaluated before the surgery, on the first postoperative day, and in week 1 and in month 1 after the surgery. The average age was 77.5 years (age range 53-102). An average of 2 cc of cement was injected to 22 patients (35.5 %), and an average of 3 cc of cement was injected to 40 patients (64.5 %). The mean VAS scores were 7.52 (6-9) before the procedure, 3.55 (2-5) on the first day, 2.03 (0-4) in week 1 and 0.87 (0-2) in month 1 postoperatively. Asymptomatic cement embolism was detected in one patient. No other complications were observed in the study group. Vertebroplasty performed under local anesthesia is an effective and safe procedure in terms of pain control and early ambulation and is bereft of the complications associated with general anesthesia.

Importance of Restricting Sportive Activity and Time from Injury to Surgery in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear that how long reconstruction may be delayed before additional intraarticular injuries occur. Our aim was to determine the relationship of time period from injury to surgery with the incidence of meniscal and chondral injuries recorded at the time of surgical treatment for ACL tears. The effect of sportive activity restriction, grade of chondral lesions and their locations were also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 213 patients who underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were evaluated retrospectively. Data were analyzed for association between time period before surgery and patients sportive activity restriction with rates of meniscal and chondral injuries. According to time from initial trauma to surgery less than 12 months grouped as group I (101 patients) and 12 months and longer defined as group II (81 patients). Patients who had surgery before 12 months were divided into groups of smaller time scales (0 to 3 months, 4 to 6 months, 7 to 9 months, 10 to 12 months) to examine the relationships more closely. For sportive activity restriction a functional scale was used that described restricted activities including military training. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-two patients were included to the study. 81 patients restricted sportive activity before surgery. 18 (% 22.2) of these patients had chondral injury [6 (% 33.3) operated before 12 months and 12 (% 66.7) operated after 12 months]. The difference was statistically significant (p=0,005). 81 patients (group II) were operated after 12 months. There were 44 (% 54.3) patients with chondral injury in this group [32 (% 72.7) patients were who continued their sportive activity and 12 (% 27.3) patients who restricted their sportive activity]. The difference was statistically significant (p=0,026). Correlation analysis showed that with increasing time from initial trauma to surgery chondral lesion incidence and grade of these lesions increases (p<0,001, p=0,001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the prolonged time from injury to surgery and continuing sportive activity before surgery increases the incidence of the chondral lesions. Also, time limit of 12 month is important to prevent chondral injury in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Angiographic evaluation of arterial configuration after acute tibial shortening.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial nonunion with bone and soft tissue loss is a challenging orthopedic problem. Acute tibial shortening is a well-defined technique; however, arterial configuration following acute tibial shortening has not been demonstrated by a clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with tibial nonunion and one patient with acute tibial fracture accompanied by bone and soft tissue loss were treated by acute shortening followed by compression or relengthening between 2004 and 2010. Circulation was monitored by intraoperative Doppler ultrasound and hallux pulse oximetry. Arterial configuration was examined by digital subtraction angiography at the seventh postoperative day and by CT angiography at the second year. Bone healing and functional results were evaluated according to Paley's classification, and complications were evaluated according to Dahl's classification. RESULTS: Mean amount of bone loss was 3 ± 1.4 cm (range 1-6 cm); mean size of the soft tissue defects was 7 × 6.8 cm (range 3 × 3 cm-10 × 10 cm). The mean follow-up period was 38 ± 11.3 months (range 24-57 months). The average amount of acute shortening was 5.4 ± 1.6 cm (range 3-8 cm). Average lengthening was 6 ± 1.8 cm (range 4-8 cm), and the mean external fixation index was 1.4 months/cm (range 0.1-3.7 months). There was no detectable change in the arterial configuration of patients with acute shortening up to 4 cm. Minimal arterial bending was observed in patients that 4-6 cm of shortening was performed. Arterial configuration of the patients that 8 cm acute shortening was performed showed increased tortuosity, but the patency was maintained. CONCLUSION: Acute shortening of tibia in nonunions with soft tissue defects allows for primary closure or reduces the need for grafting and secondary operations. Although the amount of acute shortening depends upon intraoperative assessment with Doppler ultrasound and hallux pulse oximetry, acute compression up to 8 cm can be attained in proximal tibia. More than 4 cm of acute shortening leads to increased tortuosity of major arteries rather than kinking, and this new arterial configuration is maintained for up to 2 years with no problem in circulation.

Osteochondrosis of the medial cuneiform bone in a child: a case report and review of 18 published cases.

UNLABELLED: Although, osteochondrosis of tarsal and metatarsal bones are frequent in children, involvement of the cuneiform bone is rare. Because of its rarity, the relevant literature is composed of small case series and case reports. Here, we report the case of a 6-year-old boy with bilateral osteochondrosis of the medial cuneiform bone. Activity modification and analgesia were sufficient for the relief of symptoms during follow-up. We discuss the demographic and clinical characteristics, radiographic findings, and treatment of this rare entity with a review of literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV, Case study.