[Plantar fascia release and decompression of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve)]. / Plantarfaszienrelease und Dekompression des ersten kalkanearen Astes des Nervus plantaris lateralis (Baxter-Nerv).

OBJECTIVE: Treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis and release of the first calcaneal branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve). INDICATIONS: Chronic plantar fasciitis, compression of the first calcaneal branch of the lateral plantar nerve (Baxter's nerve). CONTRAINDICATIONS: General medical contraindications to surgical interventions, infection. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Longitudinal incision at the medial heel. Exposure of the plantar fascia at its origin on the medial plantar calcaneus. Medial incision of the plantar fascia preserving the lateral portion. Resection of a heel spur, if present. Exposure of the abductor hallucis muscle. Incision of the superficial fascia of the muscle. Retraction of the muscle belly und incision of the deep portion of the fascia, decompression of the nerve. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Two weeks partial weight bearing 20 kg in a healing shoe. Progressively weight bearing using a shoe with a stiff sole for another 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 32 feet of 27 patients with chronic plantar fasciitis and compression of the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve were treated with medial incision of the fascia and a nerve decompression. In 24 feet a calcaneal spur was resected. Mean follow-up was 25.6 months (12-35 months). Preoperative Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score was 52.5 (±9.0), postoperative MOXFQ score was 31.3 (±4.1). Six (18,8%) patients had same or more pain 6 weeks postoperatively.;8 (25%) patients stated minor complications like swelling, delayed wound healing, temporary hypoesthesia or pain while walking.

Comparison of medial distal tibial angle in EOS imaging and weightbearing X-ray.

BACKGROUND: The medial distal tibial angle (MDTA) is used for measurement of ankle alignment. Standard to measure MDTA is weightbearing mortise view. EOS imaging becomes more popular for limb alignment analysis using low-dose radiation. As MDTA might vary in EOS, comparison between both radiographic techniques has been performed. METHODS: MDTA was compared between both techniques in 43 cases by defining the mechanical tibial axis in different ways (X-ray low, EOS low, EOS high). For each method MDTA, intra- and interobserver reliability has been compared. RESULTS: The correlation between the different methods were measured by ICC (intraclass coefficient) and were ICC 0.86 (X-ray low/EOS low), ICC 0.85 (X-ray low/EOS high) and ICC 0.97 (EOS low/EOS high). Intra- and interobserver reliability were in each case ICC > 0.95. CONCLUSION: ICC showed a substantial to excellent agreement between all methods. EOS is appropriate to determine MDTA and can be used for assessment of coronar deformities of the distal tibia.