The Role of Epigenomics in Mapping Potential Precursors for Foot and Ankle Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review.

Tendinopathy of the foot and ankle is a common clinical problem for which the exact etiology is poorly understood. The field of epigenetics has been a recent focus of this investigation. The purpose of this article was to review the genomic advances in foot and ankle tendinopathy that could potentially be used to stratify disease risk and create preventative or therapeutic agents. A multi-database search of PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov from January 1, 2000 to July 1, 2022 was performed. A total of 18 articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria for this review. The majority of such research utilized case-control candidate gene association to identify different genetic risk factors associated with chronic tendinopathy. Polymorphisms in collagen genes COL5A1, COL27A1, and COL1A1 were noted at a significantly higher frequency in Achilles tendinopathy versus control groups. Other allelic variations that were observed at an increased incidence in Achilles tendinopathy were TNC and CASP8. The extracellular matrix (ECM) demonstrated macroscopic changes in Achilles tendinopathy, including an increase in aggrecan and biglycan mRNA expression, and increased expression of multiple matrix metalloproteinases. Cytokine expression was also influenced in pathology and aberrantly demonstrated dynamic response to mechanical load. The pathologic accumulation of ECM proteins and cytokine expression alters the adaptive response normal tendon has to physiologic stress, further propagating the risk for tendinopathy. By identifying and understanding the epigenetic mediators that lead to tendinopathy, therapeutic agents can be developed to target the exact underlying etiology and minimize side effects.Level of Evidence: Level IV: Systematic Review of Level II-IV Studies.

First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pathology in the Athlete.

Movement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is an essential function of many sports. Because of the high demand on this relatively small joint, it is prone to the development of several notable pathologic derangements that can prevent full and pain-free athletic performance. A complete understanding of the joint anatomy and a careful physical examination and history collection is crucial to identifying an accurate diagnosis. Treatment should be pathology specific and should keep in mind the career expectations of the athlete.

Orthobiologic Use in Sports Injuries.

Orthobiologics have gained much popularity in recent years but there has not been a large amount of clinical evidence to support their use. In the limited research that has been published, they have been shown to be effective and safe. They can assist in earlier return to activity with the avoidance of surgery. They can also augment current surgical practice to aid in healing and return to sport with few complications. With new medical innovation, there is unfortunately a higher cost for these products. The use of orthobiologics will only grow and so will the need for high-level clinical evidence.

Stress Injuries in the Athlete.

Stress fractures are a common injury that present in athletes because of the high intensity and repetitive nature of many sports. These injuries require a high index of suspicion in the treating clinician to allow for timely management. Though most low-risk fractures heal well with conservative management, high-risk stress fractures as well as any fracture in the elite athlete may warrant surgical intervention as well as an augmented treatment and rehabilitation regimen.

Retrospective Analysis of the Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy: Pretreatment and Posttreatment Correlation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Assessment.

UNLABELLED: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been presented as a means of treating Achilles tendinopathy. Over the past dozen years, a plethora of medical articles have advocated this treatment, yet little evidentiary-based research exists in support of this approach. Treatment protocols with PRP have been performed in 2 ways during this time: administered adjunctively during tendon surgery and as a stand-alone injection. The senior author has utilized PRP by both methods to treat Achilles tendinopathy over the past 7 years; 26 patients so treated were able to be recalled, half having undergone Achilles tendon surgery in combination with PRP administration and the other half PRP alone. In this retrospective study, qualified patients had pretreatment and posttreatment magnetic imaging studies and completed a Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire. In this limited study, PRP showed promise in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Both the stand-alone injection group and surgical/injection groups had statistically significant degrees of improvement in pre-MRI and post-MRI imaging studies. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 treatment groups. Of interest, it appears that the difference between the MRI scoring correlates with the survey score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level, IV: Case series.

Excision of extensive midfoot pigmented villonodular synovitis with microvascular anastamosis of iliac crest bone graft using external fixation: a case report.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a relatively rare lesion in the foot and ankle, most commonly involving the ankle joint and atypically, the subtalar and midtarsal joints. It is a benign proliferative disease characterized by an increase in villous or nodular synovium in joints. Resection of the tumor is often indicated in most cases because of the potentially aggressive joint destructive nature of this lesion. This report presents a case of chronic enlarging pervasive midtarsal and metatarsal-cuneiform joint PVNS in a 28-year-old male. This patient had a midtarsal mass that enlarged over a period of 2 years, causing increased pain, deformity, and difficulty with ambulation. Cross-sectional imaging studies identified evidence of erosive disease through much of the midfoot articulations, with biopsy confirming the mass as PVNS. The dimensions of the mass approximated 5.5 cm × 4.1 cm × 2.8 cm. Simple resection was problematic because of the size and multiple joints involved. Amputation was most commonly advised by multiple consultants. The patient preferred attempt at limb salvage. En bloc resection and placement of a revascularized iliac crest bone graft was used to fill the defect. The graft was microvascularly anastamosed and fixated with standard external fixation. Pathologic and histologic specimens from surgical biopsy reconfirmed the diagnosis of PVNS postoperatively. Second-stage arthrodesis was performed when the patient was stable and disease free. The patient was followed postoperatively for 10 years without recurrence and was able to return to full function and partake in moderate athletic activity at last visit. This case describes a retrospective review of the procedure and reconstruction, as well as an overview of current surgical management of PVNS.

A retrospective analysis of joint salvage procedures for grades III and IV hallux rigidus.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the use of a decompression osteotomy for the treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 28 feet (23 patients) with grades III and IV hallux rigidus that underwent a first metatarsal head decompression osteotomy with preservation of the articular surfaces of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. We also devised a 9-item questionnaire to explore the patients' perceptions of preoperative and postoperative pain, limitations of activity, influence on shoe wear, and the total range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Furthermore, we used a modified version of the AOFAS forefoot scoring system to compare the patients' foot-related health status in relative to the operative repair of hallux rigidus. Comparisons of the pre- and postoperative results revealed statistically significant improvements in pain (P< .001), functional limitation (P< .001), shoe restrictions (P= .0072), total range of motion (P= .0449), and the AOFAS forefoot score (P< .001). Overall patient satisfaction with the results of the surgery was more than 85%, and the patients' chief complaint was alleviated in more than 75% of the participants. The results of this investigation demonstrated that a decompression first metatarsal osteotomy is an acceptable alternative to joint destructive procedures for the treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 4.

The flexor hallucis longus: tenographic technique and correlation of imaging findings with surgery in 39 ankles.

PURPOSE: To examine the use of tenography for evaluation of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) sheath. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was waived, patient consent was obtained, and the study was HIPAA compliant. Retrospective review of 192 FHL tenograms and associated surgical records identified 39 ankles in 37 patients (17 male, 20 female; mean age +/- standard deviation, 38 years +/- 13.8; range, 14-68 years) in which both tenography and surgery had been performed. Two radiologists reviewed tenographic findings, including contrast agent extravasation, synovial irregularity, stenosis, fibrous bands, sheath outpouching, extent of opacification, and communications with adjacent structures. Alterations in pain after anesthesia of the tendon sheath were also recorded. Surgical reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 39 tenograms were diagnostic. Some extravasation occurred in nine (45%) of 20 injections with an initial injection method and in two (11%) of 19 with a new injection technique. Synovial irregularity was present in all 34 studies (15 mild, 16 moderate, three severe). Stenoses were identified in 23 (68%) of 34 ankles, fibrous bands were seen in 16 (47%) of 34 ankles, and outpouching of the sheath above a stenosis was present in 13 (38%) of 34 ankles. Communication of the FHL sheath with the ankle, flexor digitorum longus, or subtalar joint occurred in half the cases. Most patients with pain reported relief; relief was complete (100% reduction from preprocedural pain) in eight of 27, moderate (50%-90% reduction) in nine of 27, and mild (<50% reduction) in eight of 27 patients. CONCLUSION: Tenography of the FHL sheath produced diagnostic images in almost all patients and effectively demonstrated abnormalities of the tendon sheath. Pain relief with anesthetic injection helped confirm the FHL sheath as the pain generator.

Flexor hallucis longus dysfunction: an overview.

Whereas acute and chronic injuries of the tibialis posterior, peroneal and Achilles tendon are frequently encountered, disorders of the flexor hallucis longus tendon are often overlooked, which may contribute to chronic pain and disability. Patients with stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon frequently present with overlapping signs and symptoms of flexor hallucis longus tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome, which the authors collectively refer to as "flexor hallucis longus dysfunction." A keen awareness of the presenting signs and symptoms and use of ancillary MR imaging and FHL tenography will assist the practitioner in recognizing this commonly misdiagnosed condition.