Sagittal Plane Alignment for First Metatarsal Phalangeal Arthrodesis Correlated with Postoperative Function: What is the optimal position?

There have been many reports describing the proposed alignment of a first metatarsal phalangeal arthrodesis to obtain optimum function. Most of these recommendations are based upon historical and anecdotal evidence. Furthermore, there are few reports directly comparing alignment to patient reported function. We studied radiographic sagittal plane alignment in a group of 60 patients (80 feet) who had undergone a first metatarsal phalangeal joint arthrodesis (20 of the 60 had bilateral arthrodesis) to better understand how this component of the arthrodesis position translates to real world function. The patients in this study had completed a functional survey in 2022 at a mean of 28.4 (median 27.8; range 13.2-45.7) months with very high satisfaction for return to activities of daily living and recreational sports. We measured the sagittal plane position of the first metatarsal relative to the proximal phalanx in this cohort with known post operative activity data. We found that a mean (standard of deviation) sagittal plane angle (angle between the anatomic axis of the first metatarsal and the proximal phalanx) of 15.4 (SD 7.4) degrees and a proximal phalanx head to ground height of 12.7 (SD 3.3) mm was present in this group. Comparing the functional and positional results we conclude that this sagittal plane position provides a good recommendation for alignment.

A Simplified Preoperative Radiographic Assessment for Metatarsus Adductus Associated With Hallux Valgus.

Radiographic measurements for the assessment of metatarsus adductus (MTA) have a broad range of interpretation without a consensus regarding surgical indications. The "Plumbline" (PL) radiographic assessment method helps identify MTA and determines if physical space is available to align the first metatarsal to the longitudinal foot axis without the need to realign the lesser metatarsals. Forty-five neutral weight-bearing anterior-posterior (AP) radiographs of patients scheduled for surgical intervention for isolated hallux valgus (HV) or combined MTA/HV deformities were reviewed. The cohort was grouped based on the presence of MTA using a Sgarlato's angle (SA) of 15°, with 23 patients in the HV-only group and 22 patients in the MTA group. A mean preoperative SA of 8.7° (SD: 2.1; range: 5.4-13.4) and 26.6° (SD: 5.1; range: 18.2-36) were found in the HV-only and MTA groups, respectively. Subjects with an SA ≤ 15° (N = 22) were found to have a negative PL (100%) and subjects with an SA > 15° (N = 23) displayed a positive PL (100%). The PL technique provided a simple method and clear visual reference for determining the presence of MTA in HV patients without the need to measure traditional radiographic angles.Level of Evidence: Retrospective, Level IV, Diagnostic.

What Do Patients Report Regarding Their Real-World Function Following Concurrent Arthrodesis of the First Tarsometatarsal and First Metatarsophalangeal Joints.

First metatarsal phalangeal joint and the first Tarsometatarsal arthrodesis have both been used for deformity correction and treatment of pain and arthritis. Concomitant arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal and first tarsometatarsal joints (Double First Ray Arthrodesis) has rarely been described. We surveyed 29 patients who underwent double first-ray arthrodesis for primary or revision correction of hallux valgus. A custom questionnaire was used to assess their activities of daily living and sports activity at a mean follow-up of 19.6 months (median 18.4 months). Secondary endpoints were return to activity, deformity correction, and arthrodesis healing rate. The primary outcomes showed an excellent return to activities of daily living with 96.6% of patients capable of walking as much as they liked after surgery at a normal pace. About 96.6% reported they felt that their surgery was successful, they had no pain, and the loss of motion at the joint fusion sites did not affect their ability to perform daily activities. Protected walking in a fracture boot was initiated at a mean (SD) of 9.8 (9.9) days. Return to an athletic shoe occurred at a mean (SD) of 44.2 (11.7) days. Full unrestricted activity was at a mean (SD) of 105.2 (19.3) days with 65% of the patient group reporting that their recovery was easier than expected. There was 1 nonunion and no other complications. This data set supports the hypothesis that patients undergoing double first-ray arthrodesis can return to activities of daily living and sports with and low complication rate.

Anatomy: Plantar Plate.

The fibrocartilaginous component of the plantar plate offers stability at the metatarsophalangeal joint. In conjunction with the attachments of the deep transverse metatarsal ligaments and collateral ligaments, the plantar plate complex resists tensile forces anchored by the plantar fascia and compression forces under the metatarsal heads.

One- and Two-Year Analysis of a Five-Year Prospective Multicenter Study Assessing Radiographic and Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Triplanar First Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis With Early Weightbearing for Symptomatic Hallux Valgus.

We report one- and 2-year results of a prospective, 5-year, multicenter study of radiographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes following triplanar first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis with early weightbearing. One-hundred and seventeen patients were included with a mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) follow-up time of 16.6 (15.5, 17.7) months. Mean (95% CI) time to weightbearing in a boot walker was 7.8 (6.6, 9.1) days, mean time to return to athletic shoes was 45.0 (43.5, 46.6) days, and mean time to return to unrestricted activity was 121.0 (114.5, 127.5) days. There was a significant improvement in radiographic measures with a mean corrective change of -18.0° (-19.6, -16.4) for hallux valgus angle, -8.3° (-8.9, -7.8) for intermetatarsal angle and -2.9 (-3.2, -2.7) for tibial sesamoid position at 12 months (n = 108). Additionally, there was a significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes (Visual Analog Scale, Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) and changes were maintained at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. There was 1/117 (0.9%) reported recurrence of hallux valgus at 12 months. There were 16/117 (13.7%) subjects who experienced clinical complications of which 10/117 (8.5%) were related to hardware. Of the 7/117 (6.0%) who underwent reoperation, only 1/117 (0.9%) underwent surgery for a nonunion. The results of the interim report of this prospective, multicenter study demonstrate favorable clinical and radiographic improvement of the HV deformity, early return to weightbearing, low recurrence, and low rate of complications.

Triplanar Correction for First Metatarsophalangeal Fusion.

Successful deformity correction utilizing first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) fusion for hallux valgus with concomitant degenerative changes of the first MTP joint is well documented. Currently, there is limited discussion in the literature focusing on triplanar correction of the first MTP arthrodesis. Presented is a novel approach for triplane correction and fusion of the first MTP joint utilizing a biplanar locked plating system.

A Systematic Approach to the Surgical Correction of Combined Hallux Valgus and Metatarsus Adductus Deformities.

The presence of metatarsus adductus (MTA) adds complexity to the diagnosis and treatment of hallux valgus (HV). Identification and careful analysis of these combined deformities is of paramount importance. The inability to completely correct HV and an increased incidence of recurrence has been established when MTA deformity is present. We present an option for correction of the combined deformities with multiplanar angular correction arthrodesis of the first, second, and third tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints.

A Comparison of Pesticide Risk Beliefs between Farmers and Farmworkers: Implications for Risk Communication and Education.

Understanding the multi-dimensional risk beliefs of agricultural audiences allows risk communicators and educators to target those beliefs to improve practices. This study was designed to assess pesticide risk beliefs among English-speaking farmers and Spanish-speaking farmworkers and to compare their beliefs. The Pesticide Risk Beliefs Inventory (PRiBI) is a 19-item quantitative instrument used to assess the alignment of risk beliefs with those beliefs of experts in the field. A higher score on the PRiBI relates to an agreement with expert beliefs regarding pesticide risk. Farmers' and farmworkers' scores were signficiantly different on items corresponding to the use of physical properties to determine risk and specific adverse health outcomes associated with pesticide exposure. With an understanding that farmworkers rely on the physical properties of pesticides to assess risk, educators and farmers can encourage more reliable ways to assess pesticide hazards.

Measuring implementation feasibility of clinical decision support alerts for clinical practice recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: The study sought to describe key features of clinical concepts and data required to implement clinical practice recommendations as clinical decision support (CDS) tools in electronic health record systems and to identify recommendation features that predict feasibility of implementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using semistructured interviews, CDS implementers and clinician subject matter experts from 7 academic medical centers rated the feasibility of implementing 10 American College of Emergency Physicians Choosing Wisely Recommendations as electronic health record-embedded CDS and estimated the need for additional data collection. Ratings were combined with objective features of the guidelines to develop a predictive model for technical implementation feasibility. RESULTS: A linear mixed model showed that the need for new data collection was predictive of lower implementation feasibility. The number of clinical concepts in each recommendation, need for historical data, and ambiguity of clinical concepts were not predictive of implementation feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of data and need for additional data collection are essential to assess the feasibility of CDS implementation. Authors of practice recommendations and guidelines can enable organizations to more rapidly assess data availability and feasibility of implementation by including operational definitions for required data.

Effect on Foot Width With Triplanar Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis for Hallux Valgus.

BACKGROUND: Foot width reduction is a desirable cosmetic and functional outcome for patients with hallux valgus. Triplanar first tarsometatarsal (TMT) arthrodesis could achieve this goal by 3-dimensional correction of the deformity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in bony and soft tissue width in patients undergoing triplanar first TMT arthrodesis. METHODS: After receiving Institutional Review Board approval, charts were retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing triplanar first TMT arthrodesis for hallux valgus at 4 institutions between 2016 and 2019. Patients who underwent concomitant first metatarsal head osteotomies (eg, Silver or Chevron) or fifth metatarsal osteotomies were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative anteroposterior weightbearing radiographs were compared to evaluate for changes in bony and soft tissue width. One hundred forty-eight feet from 144 patients (48.1 ± 15.7 years, 92.5% female) met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Preoperative osseous foot width was 96.2 mm, compared to 85.8 mm postoperatively (P < .001). Preoperative soft tissue width was 106.6 mm, compared to 99.3 mm postoperatively (P < .001). Postoperatively, patients had an average 10.4 ± 4.0 mm reduction (10.8% reduction) in osseous width and average 7.3 ± 4.0 mm reduction (6.8% reduction) in soft tissue width. CONCLUSIONS: Triplanar first TMT arthrodesis reduced both osseous and soft tissue foot width, providing a desirable cosmetic and functional outcome for patients with hallux valgus. Future studies are needed to determine if patient satisfaction and outcome measures correlate with reductions in foot width. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Analysis of Shortening and Elevation of the First Ray With Instrumented Triplane First Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis.

BACKGROUND: The Lapidus procedure using planar saw resection has often been criticized for complications related to excessive shortening and elevation of the first ray. The goal of this study was to assess the amount of shortening that occurs when using a cutting guide for controlled saw resection of the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint surfaces, along with assessment of deformity correction in all 3 anatomic planes. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study with IRB approval included 35 hallux valgus subjects evaluated at baseline and 6 months following instrumented triplane first TMT arthrodesis without lesser metatarsal osteotomies. RESULTS: The average first ray bone segment length loss was 3.1 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4-3.7) in the anteroposterior (AP) radiographic assessment and 2.4 mm (95% CI 1.7-3.1) in the sagittal plane. The mean preoperative radiographic measurements were 1.7 degrees (dorsiflexion) for sagittal plane angle, 13.8 degrees for intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and 5.1 for tibial sesamoid position (TSP). Improvements were seen postoperatively for all measures with a mean difference of -0.2 degrees (95% CI -1.0 to 0.6) for sagittal plane angle, -9.2 degrees (95% CI -10.1 to -8.3 degrees) for IMA, and -3.5 (95% CI -4.0 to -3.1) for TSP. Five of the patients reported lesser metatarsal pain preoperatively, and no patients complained of lesser metatarsalgia at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal length loss of the first ray can be expected following instrumented triplane TMT arthrodesis while achieving full 3-dimensional deformity correction and reducing the risk of lesser metatarsalgia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Lagged versus concurrent changes between burnout and depression symptoms and unique contributions from job demands and job resources.

Burnout and depression pose significant threats to emotional and occupational functioning; however, questions exist over how these 2 conditions are associated with each other over time, and how these are related to underlying job stressors. The job demands-resources model provides a useful framework for understanding how job demands and job resources may lead to burnout, but questions remain about their distinct association with depression symptoms. The current study examined these questions in a sample of 402 nursing workers. The Exhaustion subscale of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression assessment, and items reflecting job demands and job resources from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire were assessed at baseline; additionally, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory Exhaustion and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression were assessed over 12 monthly follow-ups. Linear mixed models assessed longitudinal bidirectional associations between burnout and depression in both concurrent and lagged models. Longitudinal models found bidirectional relationships between burnout and depression symptoms over time, with relatively stronger associations for concurrent models relative to lagged models. Job demands and job resources each predicted unique variance in burnout and depression symptoms over time. Results provide evidence that burnout and depression symptoms change in the same direction, in tandem, rather than one condition having a distinctly stronger temporal association over the other. Results also indicate that both job demands and job resources are associated with depression symptoms independent from their association with burnout symptoms. Our results highlight the importance of considering burnout symptoms, depression symptoms, and job stressors concurrently in evaluating worker mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Multicenter Early Radiographic Outcomes of Triplanar Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis With Early Weightbearing.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus is a multiplanar deformity of the first ray. Traditional correction methods prioritize the transverse plane, a potential factor resulting in high recurrence rates. Triplanar first tarsometatarsal (TMT) arthrodesis uses a multiplanar approach to correct hallux valgus in all 3 anatomical planes at the apex of the deformity. The purpose of this study was to investigate early radiographic outcomes and complications of triplanar first TMT arthrodesis with early weightbearing. METHODS: Radiographs and charts were retrospectively reviewed for 57 patients (62 feet) aged 39.7 ± 18.9 years undergoing triplanar first TMT arthrodesis at 4 institutions between 2015 and 2017. Patients were allowed early full weightbearing in a boot walker. Postoperative radiographs were compared with preoperative radiographs for hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), tibial sesamoid position (TSP), and lateral round sign. Any complications were recorded. RESULTS: Radiographic results demonstrated significant improvements in IMA (13.6 ± 2.7 degrees to 6.6 ± 1.9 degrees), HVA (24.2 ± 9.3 degrees to 9.7 ± 5.1 degrees), and TSP (5.0 ± 1.3 to 1.9 ± 0.9) from preoperative to final follow-up (P < .001). Lateral round sign was present in 2 of 62 feet (3.2%) at final follow-up compared with 52 of 62 feet (83.9%) preoperatively. At final follow-up, recurrence was 3.2% (2/62 feet), and the symptomatic nonunion rate was 1.6% (1/62 feet). Two patients required hardware removal, and 2 patients required additional Akin osteotomy. CONCLUSION: Early radiographic outcomes of triplanar first TMT arthrodesis with early weightbearing were promising with low recurrence rates and maintenance of correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Hallux Valgus.

Hallux valgus is a common condition that results from a complex positional deformity of the first ray. The bunion or medial prominence that results from the lateral deviation and pronation of the hallux is only one component of the 3-dimensional deformity. Hallux valgus can lead to considerable pain and altered joint mechanics. The precise biomechanical etiology remains under debate. Predisposing factors include female sex, age, constricting footwear, and family history. Metatarsus adductus, equinus contracture, hammertoe deformity, and pes planus often coexist with hallux valgus. Nonoperative treatment involves patient education, shoe modifications, toe pads and positioning devices, and activity modifications. Surgery is considered in patients who fail nonoperative treatment with the goal of pain relief, correction of the deformity, improved first ray stability, and improved quality of life. More than 100 different procedures have been described to treat hallux valgus; they include combinations of soft tissue balancing, metatarsal osteotomies, and fusion of either the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) or tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint. The choice of procedures depends on the severity and location of the deformity as well as surgeon preference. Recent advances in operative techniques include minimally invasive surgery and correction of rotational deformity.

Biomechanical Characteristics of Biplane Multiplanar Tension-Side Fixation for Lapidus Fusion.

Although plating on the plantar, tension-side of the metatarsocuneiform joint provides an inherent biomechanical advantage for Lapidus arthrodesis, it has not been widely adopted owing to the morbidity associated with plantar application. To overcome these limitations, a modification to 90-90 locked biplanar plating was developed to provide the biomechanical advantages of multiplanar fixation and tension-side fixation, allowing application through a conventional incision. We tested the hypothesis that biplanar plating with tension-side fixation (low-profile straight dorsal plate and anatomic medial-plantar plate) would demonstrate improved mechanical stability compared with a previously tested 90-90 biplanar construct (small straight plate dorsally and medially) under cyclic loading. Both constructs were tested in static load to failure (3 pairs) and cyclic loading (10 pairs) with plantar cantilever bending using surrogate anatomic bone models. With static ultimate failure, the biplanar plate construct with tension-side fixation failed at a significantly greater failure load than did the straight biplanar plate construct (247.3 ± 18.4 N versus 210.9 ± 10.4 N; p = .04). With cyclic failure testing, the biplanar plate construct with tension-side fixation endured a significantly greater number of cycles (206,738 ± 49,103 versus 101,780 ± 43,273; p < .001) and a significantly greater dynamic failure load (207.5 ± 24.3 N versus 162.5 ± 20.6 N; p < .001) compared with the straight biplanar plate construct. These results have demonstrated that under simulated static and cyclic Lapidus arthrodesis loading, biplanar plating with tension-side fixation provides superior strength compared with the straight biplanar construct. Thus, this construct shows promise for clinical application as a practical approach to tension-side fixation and an early return to weightbearing after Lapidus fusion.

Triplane Hallux Abducto Valgus Classification.

One of the most common procedures performed in the foot and ankle is correction of hallux abducto valgus deformity or "bunion surgery." Most foot and ankle surgeons recognize the challenges associated with defining each patient's individual deformity and selecting the optimal procedure for the best long-term results. Using current 2-dimensional algorithms that focus on the severity of the transverse plane deformity, surgical outcomes have varied. In the past 10 years, high recurrence and complication rates for popular procedures have been reported. In the same period, the reported data have elucidated an evolving anatomic understanding of the bunion deformity, with an expansion to 3 dimensions, including the frontal/coronal plane. We present a new classification and approach for the evaluation and procedure selection for bunion surgery. We hope this conceptual treatise on hallux abducto valgus based on clinical consensus and current data will stimulate academic discussion and further research. This anatomic classification is based on the 3-dimensional anatomy of the first ray.

Understanding Frontal Plane Correction in Hallux Valgus Repair.

Hallux-abducto-valgus or "bunion" surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures for the foot and ankle specialist. As our understanding of the hallux-abducto-valgus deformity has grown, it is becoming clear that the anatomic CORA of the deformity may lie at the tarsometatarsal joint. There is also the component of the 3-dimensional nature of the deformity that may be best addressed at this CORA. With these issues in mind, it was necessary to address the shortcomings of the traditional Lapidus procedure and progress toward more consistent, instrumented steps that could address the 3-dimensional nature of the deformity.

Family Member Deaths in Childhood Predict Systemic Inflammation in Late Life.

Biological and epidemiological evidence has linked early-life psychosocial stress with late-life health, with inflammation as a potential mechanism. We report here the association between familial death in childhood and adulthood and increased levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation. The Cache County Memory Study is a prospective study of persons initially aged 65 and older in 1995. In 2002, there were 1,955 persons in the study with data on CRP (42.3 percent male, mean [SD] age = 81.2 [5.8] years), linked with objective data on family member deaths. Using logistic regression, high (> 10 mg/L) versus low (≤ 10 mg/L) CRP was regressed on cumulative parental, sibling, spouse, and offspring deaths during childhood and during early adulthood, adjusted for family size in each period (percentage family depletion; PFD). Findings revealed PFD during childhood to be significantly associated with CRP (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1.01, 1.04]). Individuals with two or more family deaths were 79 percent more likely to have elevated CRP than those with zero family deaths (OR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.07, 2.99]). Early adulthood PFD was not related to CRP. This study demonstrates a link between significant psychosocial stress in early life and immune-inflammatory functioning in late life, and suggests a mechanism explaining the link between early-life adversity and late-life health.

Appetite and Weight Loss Symptoms in Late-Life Depression Predict Dementia Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Identify depression symptoms during active late-life depression (LLD) that predict conversion to dementia. METHODS: The authors followed a cohort of 290 participants from the Neurocognitive Outcomes of Depression in the Elderly study. All participants were actively depressed and cognitively normal at enrollment. Depression symptom factors were derived from prior factor analysis: anhedonia and sadness, suicidality and guilt, appetite and weight loss, sleep disturbance, and anxiety and tension. Cox regression analysis modeled time to Alzheimer disease (AD) and non-AD dementia onset on depression symptom factors, along with age, education, sex, and race. Significant dementia predictors were tested for interaction with age at depression onset. RESULTS: Higher scores on the appetite and weight loss symptom factor were associated with an increased hazard of both AD and non-AD dementia. This factor was moderated by age at first depression onset, such that higher scores were associated with higher risk of non-AD dementia when depression first occurred earlier in life. Other depression symptom factors and overall depression severity were not related to risk of AD or non-AD dementia. CONCLUSION: Results suggest greater appetite/weight loss symptoms in active episodes of LLD are associated with increased likelihood of AD and non-AD dementia, but possibly via different pathways moderated by age at first depression onset. Results may help clinicians identify individuals with LLD at higher risk of developing AD and non-AD dementia and design interventions that reduce this risk.