Simultaneous flexion and extension checkrein deformity following tibial and fibular fractures: a rare case treated with concomitant surgical intervention.

Checkrein deformity of the hallux is commonly characterized by rigid flexion of the interphalangeal joint in ankle dorsiflexion but with flexibility in ankle plantarflexion which can be named as flexion checkrein deformity and as rare condition, extension checkrein deformity, characterized by rigid extension of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in ankle plantarflexion and flexibility in ankle dorsiflexion, has been reported. However, there has not reported coexistence of flexion and extension checkrein deformity. The patient, a 27-year-old male, was referred to our department 3 years after tibial and fibular fractures which was treated by open reduction and internal fixation at a previous hospital. His chief complaint was pain and impaired plantarflexion of the affected great toe. The diagnosis was double checkrein deformity characterized by simultaneous rigidity in both flexion and extension of the hallux due to the adhesion of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle and the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon after a fracture. Surgical intervention was performed, which involved the transection of the FHL tendon using hindfoot endoscopy and transfer of the EHL to the extensor digitorum longus, resulting in a successful outcome with no postoperative complications. The patient demonstrated a favorable prognosis 2 years after the procedure. This report represents the first documented case of double checkrein deformity and underscores the importance of considering this condition and the potential advantages of surgical intervention.

Corrigendum: Spindle cell lipoma: a rare case report on the hallux.

The original article was published on February 15, 2024 and corrected on April 15, 2024.The revised version of the article corrects Figure 2. The changes appear in the revised online PDF copy of this article.

First Metatarsal Headphones-Like Lesion: A Case of Unreducible Sesamoid Complex Dislocation.

CASE: A 34-year-old woman sustained a direct trauma to the left hallux during a fall. Radiographs showed a dorsal dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and a wide separation of sesamoid complex. Closed reduction was tried: postreduction radiographs displayed reduction of first metatarsophalangeal joint and a complete sesamoid complex dislocation. The patient was scheduled for surgery. Through a medial approach, open reduction together with plantar structures release and repair were performed. Functional and radiographic outcomes were satisfactory at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: In case of a "headphones-like lesion" surgery is required, together with plantar structures repair.

Effect of using a kinetic wedge during the hallux dorsiflexion resistance test in asymptomatic individuals.

BACKGROUND: The hallux dorsiflexion resistance test is a frequently employed clinical maneuver for assessing the initiation of the windlass mechanism This maneuver involves dorsiflexion of the phalanx of the hallux, thereby evaluating plantarflexion of the first metatarsal, elevation of the medial longitudinal arch, and supination of the rearfoot. The windlass mechanism plays a crucial role in gait, and orthopedic devices, such as a kinetic wedge, which aims to facilitate its activation by increasing the hallux dorsiflexion. Although it is believed that facilitating the windlass mechanism with the kinetic wedge should be directly correlated with a decrease in hallux dorsiflexion resistance, its effects have yet to be characterized. Thus, this study aimed to determine the influence of a kinetic wedge on hallux dorsiflexion resistance in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: The sample comprised thirty participants (14 women and 16 men). A digital force gauge measured the force required to perform the hallux dorsiflexion resistance test during two conditions: barefoot and with a kinetic wedge. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the hallux dorsiflexion resistance between conditions. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in force (10.54 ± 3.16N vs. 19.62 ± 5.18N, p < 0.001) was observed when using the kinetic wedge compared to the barefoot condition during the hallux dorsiflexion resistance test. CONCLUSION: The use of a kinetic wedge reduces the required force for performing the passive hallux dorsiflexion resistance test in asymptomatic individuals. Future studies should determine to what extent the kinetic wedge can attenuate the required force to dorsiflex the hallux in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fasciopathy and functional hallux limitus.

Subungual Osteochondroma of the Great Toe: A Case Report.

Bony outgrowths of the distal phalanx of the great toe have been described in the literature but rarely. These subungual bony outgrowths can be caused by subungual exostosis or subungual osteochondromas. Both of these abnormalities are bony outgrowths with differences in the cartilage cap wherein the exostoses have fibrocartilage, and osteochondromas have hyaline cartilage. The subungual exostosis and osteochondroma that are protruding present symptoms of pain, redness, and deformed nail bed, whereas the nonprotruding osteochondromas have only a lump as the presenting symptom. In both conditions, excision of the lesion and curettage of the base helps prevent a recurrence. Curettage at the end of the excision of the bony outgrowth is required to avoid recurrence. After excision, the specimen should be sent for histopathologic examination to differentiate between the exostosis and osteochondromas, which are underreported in subungual locations, and to rule out malignant transformation. We present a 13-year-old girl with an isolated subungual nonprotruding exostosis of the great toe that was treated by excisional biopsy. The histopathologic examination confirmed it as osteochondroma, which is underreported.

Rate and Location of Reulceration and Reamputation After Partial First-Ray Amputation versus Hallux Amputation in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Populations.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the rates of reulceration and reamputation in individuals who underwent partial first-ray amputations versus hallux amputations in diabetic and nondiabetic populations. METHODS: Eighty-four amputations were reviewed in a retrospective fashion. A retrospective medical record review was performed to determine patients who underwent a hallux amputation, both partial and complete, and patients who underwent a partial first-ray amputation. Only patients from 2007 to 2019 were reviewed. The reulceration rate of hallux amputations was 61% compared with a partial first-ray amputation reulceration rate of 74%. RESULTS: The reamputation rate of hallux amputation versus partial first-ray amputation was 43% versus 51%. At final follow-up, it was statistically significant that patients who underwent hallux amputation were more likely to be healed than those who underwent partial first-ray amputation, regardless of reulceration or reamputation. In addition, patients who underwent hallux amputation went on to digital amputation, and those who underwent partial first-ray amputation went on to transmetatarsal amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing partial first-ray amputation to hallux amputation, hallux amputation patients are more prone to subsequent digital ulceration. Patients who initially undergo hallux amputation have variable subsequent amputations, often digital. Reulceration primarily occurs at the incision site for partial first-ray amputations, with a higher likelihood of subsequent transmetatarsal amputation. Patients with a medical history of diabetes and staged procedures are more likely to receive partial first-ray amputations. However, hallux amputation patients have a lower risk of reulceration and reamputation, regardless of subsequent events. These findings underscore the importance of discussing risks and preventive measures with patients undergoing such amputations, emphasizing postoperative examinations for specific areas of concern. Hallux amputation appears to offer greater protection against reulceration and reamputation for both diabetic and nondiabetic populations.

Spindle cell lipoma: a rare case report on the hallux.

Spindle cell lipomas are a rare type of lipoma usually presenting in middle-aged to older men, often located on the posterior neck or shoulder; presentation on the foot is exceptionally uncommon. We report a 24-year-old man with spindle cell lipomas on the hallux of his left foot. He experienced an uneventful recovery after excision of the mass. We discuss clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of spindle cell lipomas and we review the differential diagnosis at this anatomic site.

Early Outcomes and Complications of Surgically Treated Diabetic Hallucal Infection.

BACKGROUND: Severely infected diabetic ulcers of the big toe often necessitate surgical treatment. Depending on the wound stage and presence of osteomyelitis, conservative surgery and amputation are the main surgical treatments. Few articles reported the outcomes and complications of such procedures. This study is a preliminary comparative report on the early outcomes and complications of hallucal diabetic foot infection (DFI) treated with either conservative surgery or amputation. METHODS: This is a retrospective comparative study comprising a continuous series of patients admitted at our hospital. Initially, all diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) were infected and at advanced stage (Wagner Grade 3 or 4). All clinically suspected cases of osteomyelitis were confirmed by bone pathology and microbiology culture. The study included 37 patients diagnosed with DFI. Infection profile was as follows: 23 DFU with osteomyelitis (Wagner Grade 3 or 4) and 14 infected DFU (Wagner Grade 2). Twenty-four conservative procedures and 13 amputation surgeries were performed initially. The primary outcome was defined as the frequency of subsequent surgery (deep infection recurrence treated with surgery). Statistical analysis was used to look for significant difference between both groups. RESULTS: Ten patients (27%) required additional surgeries because of deep infection recurrence. Four recurrences (16.7%) were observed in the conservative group and 6 (46%) in the amputation group (P = 0.054). Amputation rate as a subsequent procedure was 8.3% for the conservative group and the reamputation rate for the amputation group was 23.1% (P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings would indicate that the more severe is the initial hallucal infection severity (higher Wagner grade), the higher is the frequency of early surgical complications mainly after an index amputation procedure. Our assessment tools of initial infection extent seem to be underperforming. A more aggressive treatment in the form of a more proximal cut with regard to magnetic resonance imaging bone infection signal could be considered to minimize the risk of subsequent surgeries and reamputations.

The effect of hallux valgus on the anatomy of the nerves around the first metatarsal bone.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the variations in the location of the nerves that may be at risk in hallux valgus (HV) surgery, and to reveal whether these nerves are affected by the anatomical changes associated with HV. METHOD: In the formalin fixed, 46 lower extremities (19 female, 27 male) (9 normal, 14 mild HV, 21 moderate/severe HV), extensor hallucis longus tendon (EHL), deep plantar artery, medial dorsal cutaneous (MDCN), deep fibular (DFN), common plantar digital (CPDN) and proper plantar digital (PPDN) nerves were examined. The branches of MDCN extending to the medial side of foot were recorded in three segments. The positional topography of nerves according to EHL were analyzed on 360° circle and clock models. RESULTS: Sex-related differences observed in some parameters in direct measurements were not found in the clock model comparisons. In advanced HV angles (> 20°), DFN was closer to EHL in the distal part of the metatarsal bone, while there was no difference in the proximal. The intersection of the medial branch of the MDCN with the EHL was more proximal in HV cases than in normal feet. The location of the nerves in the clock pattern did not change in HV. Of the nerve branches reaching the medial side of the foot, 65.2% were in Part I, 71.7% in Part II, and 4.3% in Part III. CONCLUSION: Sex differences in the distance of the nerves to the EHL disappeared when the size effect of the cross-section of the first metatarsal bone region was eliminated with the clock model. Only in advanced HVA (>20°) (not in mild HV), the DFN being closer to the EHL distally and the intersection of the medial branch of the MDCN with the EHL in HV being more proximal than in normal can be interpreted as specific reflections of HV progress. The variations we revealed in the number of branches reaching the inside of the foot may explain the diversity of neuromas or nerve injuries associated with HV surgery.

Turf Toe Injury: A Pictorial Review and a Didactic Case Report.

Hyperextension of the first metatarsophalangeal joint can lead to a turf toe injury of the plantar plate complex, resulting in significant morbidity for athletes. This article reviews the anatomy, pathophysiology, classification, and imaging findings of turf toe injuries. In turf toe trauma, many different structures can be injured, with the sesamoid-phalangeal ligaments the most common. Diagnosis, classification, and treatment options rely on clinical evaluation and specific magnetic resonance imaging findings. It is vital for radiologists to understand the anatomy, pathophysiology, and imaging findings of turf toe injuries to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Proximal toe wrap-around: a coverage technique for circumferential skin defects of the fingers.

Circumferential skin defects of the fingers are a technical challenge. Although rare, their management should respect tissue organization and functional abilities. We report two cases of circumferential skin defect. Management used individually tailored "wrap-around" flaps taken from the hallux. The sample concerned the proximal cutaneous sheath of the first toe and the neurovascular pedicle of the first inter-metatarsal space. Nail and toe pad were spared. Both cases had complex circumferential skin defect of the finger, involving the neuro-vascular pedicle. Postoperative results were favorable, without functional limitation. The wrap-around technique provided skin coverage and also neurovascular pedicle reconstruction. Donor site damage was limited, with no functional consequences. This technique is a valuable option for management of circumferential skin defect of the finger.

Biomechanical gait analysis and rehabilitation in a traumatic hallux deficit patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The hallux plays a crucial role in maintaining standing balance and facilitating forward and backward movements during gait. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old Japanese patient, suffering from a traumatic hallux deficit with only a portion of the basal phalanx intact, underwent rehabilitation treatment. The thenar area exhibited instability, leading to impaired balance and walking difficulties. Biomechanical assessment revealed the need for a rehabilitation strategy for the foot, as well as the knee, hip, and trunk. A rehabilitation protocol was designed to enhance medial foot loading during walking and standing, including balance and trunk strength training. After a 12-week rehabilitation period, the patient's gait showed significant improvement. Specifically, the load response and single-support phases of the gait cycle on the affected side increased from 46.9% to 49.3%, while the pre-swing phase decreased from 14.6% to 11.6%. The vertical component of the ground reaction force rose from 599.8 to 647.5 N. The enhanced stability from balance training and increased muscle strength contributed to the patient's improved walking and balance. CONCLUSION: A patient with a traumatic hallux deficit underwent conservative treatment through strategic rehabilitation according to biomechanical assessment. This case report underscores the value of biomechanical gait analysis in the conservative management of similar conditions.

Diagnostic accuracy of clinical, radiological and device-driven tests for the detection of First Ray Instability: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: First Ray Instability (FRI) and especially hypermobility leads to the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch's structural framework, which reduces the foot's ability to become a rigid lever for propulsion, resulting in progressive foot deformities. Early detection of FRI with prompt intervention helps prevent degenerative foot deformities. Various manual, device-based and radiographic diagnostic tests for FRI quantification have been described in the literature. We aim to conduct an up-to-date, comprehensive, systematic review of the literature reporting on diagnostic tests to evaluate FRI. METHODOLOGY: Electronic databases (Medline, Embase and PubMed) and bibliography lists were searched until May 2021 for studies evaluating diagnostic tests for FRI. MeSH terms were used to conduct the literature search. The authors screened all produced abstracts. Selected articles were further assessed in full based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relevant studies were qualitatively assessed and grouped into tables based on tests. RESULTS: 18,176 studies were identified. Thirty-two full-text articles were included for assessment. Ten articles were excluded based on evaluation criteria. 18 studies were included for qualitative assessment: two studies describing manual diagnostic tests, three evaluating device-driven tests, six image-guided studies and seven comparison studies assessing a new test versus an established one. CONCLUSION: Gold standard tests in defining FRI need to be improved. Manual tests exhibit significant subjective variability. Radiographic tests, while accurate, are complex and cumbersome to perform and, therefore, are not widely applied. Dorsal rulers have demonstrated mixed results and shown variability when compared to instruments. The focus has been on assessing FRI in hallux valgus (HV). More studies are needed to investigate FRI in the absence of HV.

Free vascularized fibula leads to hallux toe flexion deformity due to ischemic muscle contracture of flexor hallucis longus.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of toe flexion deformity after fibular free flap transplantation and to analyze the etiology of the deformity. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent vascularized fibular free flap transplantation were retrospectively included. Statistical analysis examined correlations between deformity occurrence and resected fibula length and residual distal fibula length using the χ2 test. Doppler ultrasound and anatomical evaluations were conducted. RESULTS: Flexion deformity of the first toe was observed in all patients (100%), exacerbated by ankle dorsiflexion. χ2 test revealed no significant correlation between fibula length, distal residual fibula length, and flexion deformity. Doppler ultrasound revealed elevated echoes and blurred textures in the flexor hallucis longus post-fibular transplantation, while anatomical evaluation confirmed the peroneal artery as its primary nutrient supplier. CONCLUSION: This study reports a 100% incidence of toe flexion deformity post-transplantation. The deformity correlated strongly with ischemic contracture of the flexor hallucis longus.