Gait analysis of foot compensation in symptomatic Hallux Rigidus patients.

BACKGROUND: Compensatory motion of foot joints in hallux rigidus (HR) are not fully known. This study aimed to clarify the kinematic compensation within the foot and to detect whether this affects plantar pressure distribution. METHODS: Gait characteristics were assessed in 16 patients (16 feet) with HR and compared with 15 healthy controls (30 feet) with three-dimensional gait analysis by using the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model, measuring spatio-temporal parameters, joint kinematics and plantar pressure. RESULTS: HR subjects showed less hallux plantar flexion during midstance and less hallux dorsiflexion during push-off, while increased forefoot supination was detected during push-off. No significant differences in plantar pressure were detected. Step length was significantly smaller in HR subjects, while gait velocity was comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: HR significantly affects sagittal hallux motion, and the forefoot compensates by an increased supination during push-off. Despite this kinematic compensatory mechanism, no significant differences in plantar loading were detected.

Metallic hemiarthroplasty or arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint as treatment for hallux rigidus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Arthrodesis and metallic hemiarthroplasty are two surgical interventions for the treatment of end-stage osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP1) joint. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the two operations with regards to patient-reported outcomes, pain reduction, complications and revision rates. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified all relevant studies. The methodological quality was assessed using two validated tools. Data of interest were derived and presented. For non-comparative studies, data was assessed for trends, while for comparative studies pooling statistics were performed. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies were included for analysis. The majority of studies (>75%) reported an AOFAS-HMI score greater than 80 points after both metallic hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis. The lowest VAS pain score was observed after arthrodesis (weighted mean difference -1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.16 to -1.00 P< 0.00001). Comparable numbers of complications (odds radio 1.48, 95% CI 0.81 to 2.73, P = 0.21, favoring: hemiarthroplasty) and revisions (odds ratio 1.16, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.15 P = 0.64, favoring: hemiarthroplasty) were observed after both interventions. The included non-comparative studies seem to confirm these findings of the comparative studies. CONCLUSION: Metallic hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis have excellent clinical outcomes and acceptable complication- and revision rates. Arthrodesis seems to be superior in pain reduction, while metallic hemiarthroplasty is a suitable alternative for patients performing activities that requires motion in the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Subtalar Kalix II Arthroereisis for a Symptomatic Pediatric Flexible Flatfoot.

Background. The purpose of this study is to evaluate functional and radiological outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis in the treatment of symptomatic pediatric flexible flatfeet. Methods. A total of 16 patients (26 feet) were treated with a Kalix II as subtalar motion blocker between 2009 and 2014. Calcaneal pitch (CP) and Meary's angle (MA) were measured on radiographs preoperatively, directly postoperatively, and at follow-up 47 ± 17 (range 19-79) months. Patient satisfaction surveys were used to assess functional outcome and patient satisfaction. Results. Surgery was performed mostly for pain, walking problems, or a combination of both at a mean age of 12.5 ± 1.5 (range 10-15) years. Symptoms were relieved in 62.5% of patients in the postoperative phase and increased to 68.75% at follow-up. A statistically significant increase in CP of 2.8° and decrease in MA of 14.0° was observed directly postoperatively, which persisted during the follow-up period irrespective of Kalix removal. Revision surgery was necessary in 6 cases (23%) because of arthroereisis migration. Conclusion. Subtalar Kalix II arthroereisis significantly reduced clinical symptoms and improved the CP and MA directly postoperatively, which persisted during follow-up, irrespective of Kalix removal. Therefore, subtalar arthroereisis is a considerable intervention to reduce symptoms in children with symptomatic flexible flatfeet.Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Case series.

Long-term Effects of Cheilectomy, Keller's Arthroplasty, and Arthrodesis for Symptomatic Hallux Rigidus on Patient-Reported and Radiologic Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Several operative interventions are available to alleviate pain in hallux rigidus, and the optimal operative technique is still a topic of debate among surgeons. Three of these are arthrodesis, cheilectomy, and Keller's arthroplasty. Currently, it is unclear which intervention yields the best long-term result. The aim of this study was to assess which of these interventions performed best in terms of patient-reported outcome, pain scores, and disease recurrence at long-term follow-up. METHODS: These data are the follow-up to the initial study published in 2006. In the original study, 73 patients (n = 89 toes) with symptomatic hallux rigidus were recruited and underwent first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis (n = 33 toes), cheilectomy (n = 28 toes), or Keller's arthroplasty (n = 28 toes). Outcome measures were AOFAS hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (HMI) score, and pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) at a mean follow-up period of 7 years. Patients of the original study were identified and invited to participate in the current study. Data were collected in the form of AOFAS-HMI score, VAS pain score, Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12). In addition, a clinical examination was performed and radiographs were obtained. Data were available for 37 patients (45 toes), with a mean follow-up period over 22 years. RESULTS: AOFAS-HMI and VAS pain score improved during follow-up only in arthrodesis patients. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences in clinical and patient-reported outcome were detected between groups based on AOFAS-HMI, VAS pain, MOXFQ, or FJS-12. However, clinically important differences in patient-reported outcomes and pain scores were detected, favoring arthrodesis. Radiographic disease progression was more evident after cheilectomy compared with Keller's arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: Arthrodesis, cheilectomy, and Keller's arthroplasty are 3 sucessful operative interventions to treat symptomatic hallux rigidus. Because clinically important differences were detected and symptoms still diminish many years after surgery, a slight preference was evident for arthrodesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative study.

Using spatial analysis and GIS to improve planning and resource allocation in a rural district of Bangladesh.

The application of a geographic information system (GIS) in public health is relatively common in Bangladesh. However, the use of GIS for planning, monitoring and decision-making by local-level managers has not been well documented. This assessment explored how effectively local government health managers used maps with spatial data for planning, resource allocation and programme monitoring. The United States Agency for International Development-funded MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening project supported the introduction of the maps into district planning processes in 2015 and 2016. GIS maps were used to support the prioritisation of underserved unions (the lowest administrative units) and clusters of disadvantaged communities for the allocation of funds. Additional resources from local government budgets were allocated to the lowest performing unions for improving health facility service readiness and supervision. Using a mixed-methods approach, the project evaluated the outputs of this planning process. District planning reports, population-based surveys, local government annual expenditure reports and service availability and utilisation data were reviewed. The goal was to determine the degree to which district planning teams were able to use the maps for their intended purpose. Key informant interviews were conducted with upazila (subdistrict) managers, elected government representatives and service providers to understand how the maps were used, as well as to identify potential institutionalisation scopes. The project observed improvements in health service availability and utilisation in the highest priority unions in 2016. Quick processing of maps during planning sessions was challenging. Nevertheless, managers and participants expressed their satisfaction with the use of spatial analysis, and there was an expressed need for more web-based GIS both for improving community-level service delivery and for reviewing performance in monthly meetings. Despite some limitations, the use of GIS maps helped local health managers identify health service gaps, prioritise underserved unions and monitor results.

Clinical Outcome Following Total Joint Replacement and Arthrodesis for Hallux Rigidus: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Hallux rigidus is a common cause of foot pain in the elderly and has a negative impact on quality of life. Several operative treatment options are available for feet that are refractory to conservative treatment. Of these, total joint replacement and arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint are the most commonly performed interventions. Nevertheless, it is still not known which intervention results in the best clinical outcome and the fewest complications. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies assessing outcome with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society-Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal (AOFAS-HMI) score, Foot Function Index (FFI), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, or Short Form-36 (SF-36) in patients who underwent an arthrodesis or total joint replacement for the treatment of symptomatic hallux rigidus. Secondary outcomes were complications and revision rates. The screening of titles and abstracts, data collection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Study quality was determined with use of risk-of-bias tools. Results of included studies were presented in a qualitative manner, and the results of high-quality studies were pooled. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies, describing a total of 741 arthrodeses and 555 total joint replacements, were included in the qualitative analysis. Six different prostheses were used for total joint replacement, and various fixation techniques were used for arthrodesis. The results of 6 arthrodesis studies and 7 total joint replacement studies were pooled in the quantitative analysis. Pooled results showed superiority of arthrodesis compared with total joint replacement for improving clinical outcome (by 43.8 versus 37.7 points on the AOFAS-HMI score) and reducing pain (a decrease of 6.56 versus 4.65 points on the VAS pain score). Because of the rare reporting of the FFI and SF-36, no comparison could be made for these outcomes. Fewer intervention-related complications (23.1% versus 26.3%) and revisions (3.9% versus 11%) were reported after arthrodesis as compared with total joint replacement, with pain and nonunion and prosthetic loosening being the most commonly reported complications after arthrodesis and total joint replacement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present systematic review of the literature indicated that arthrodesis is superior for improving clinical outcome and reducing pain, and is less often accompanied by intervention-related complications and revisions, compared with total joint replacement in patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus. Prospective, randomized controlled trials will need to be conducted to verify this conclusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A myopic shift in Australian Aboriginals: 1977-2000.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of myopia has been reported to have increased in a number of population groups. We compared the refraction of Australian Aboriginal adults in 2000 with data collected in 1977 to assess whether there had been a change in the prevalence of myopia. METHOD: Australian Aboriginal adults aged 20 to 30 years old were selected from Central Australian communities in 2000. Refraction was determined by noncycloplegic autorefraction. This was compared to mydriatic retinoscopy data collected in 1977. "Observer trials" were undertaken to assess the comparability of noncycloplegic autorefraction measurements and cycloplegic retinoscopy. Spherical equivalence cylinder and spheric were determined for all right and left eyes and compared using an analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 128 adults (58 males, 70 females) were examined in 2000 and compared with 161 adults (107 males, 54 females) examined in 1977. The mean spherical equivalent in 2000 was -0.55 D +/- 0.88 D and in 1977 was +0.54 D +/- 0.81 D. The difference of -1.09 D was highly significant (F = 126, P < .001). Intraclass correlation coefficients showed good agreement between noncycloplegic autorefraction and cycloplegic retinoscopy. Neither gender, schooling, nor diabetes was associated with an increased risk of myopia. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to have been a significant shift toward myopia in Australian Aboriginals between 1977 and 2000. The cause of this myopic shift is unknown but mirrors that observed in other populations in recent years.