The Reliability of Common Radiographic Measurements Used to Describe Foot Deformities.

Radiographic measurements are frequently used to classify deformity and determine treatment options. Correlation coefficients can be used to determine inter- and intrarater reliability. Reliability is a required feature of any measurement if the measurement is to provide valid information. We calculated correlation coefficients for standard radiographic measurements used to categorize foot deformities: this was done for 52 sets of radiographs assessed by 5 raters. We aimed for generalizability, and kept rater instructions to match what was originally published for each measurement of interest with schematic illustration. Overall, our results mostly showed a lack of inter-rater reliability (correlation coefficients <0.4), and strong intrarater reliability (correlation coefficients >0.6), for 12 forefoot and 12 rearfoot radiographic measurements that are commonly used. The results of this investigation bring into question the routine use of radiographic measurements to categorize deformity, select treatments, and measure surgical outcomes, between surgeons, because the validity of these measurements appears to be threatened by weak inter-rater reliability. In order for these measurements to be considered useful, it may be necessary for surgeons to more rigorously define and practice making standard radiographic measurements.

The Custom Total Contact Cast to Offload Foot Ulcers in the Presence of Biomechanical Deformities: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Although offloading foot ulcers with a total contact cast (TCC) remains the cornerstone of managing these wounds, the TCC is underutilized. Patient intolerance and potential iatrogenic complications due to TCCs' general lack of customizability and the inability to address flexible biomechanical deformities that are not in the sagittal plane may be one of the reasons patients with foot ulcers do not receive this crucial component of care. PURPOSE: To describe the use of a novel approach to the standard TCC technique that uses strategic padding to potentially increase patient compliance and comfort while decreasing the likelihood of iatrogenic ulceration, as well as to correct flexible frontal plane biomechanical deformities with casting tape that is pulled medial to lateral, or lateral to medial, to bring the plantar surface of the foot to neutral position. METHODS: The custom total contact cast (C-TCC) was used in a 54-year-old woman who had diabetes, obesity, and a flexible cavovarus foot type with a recurring plantar fifth metatarsal base wound. Weekly debridement followed by silver dressings and C-TCC application were performed. The latter included strategic padding, 2 forms of plaster of paris with contouring, fiberglass, and medial-to-lateral positioning of the foot during application. RESULTS: This case study describes two (2) treatment episodes, with a focus on the second episode. At initial presentation, the ulcer took 5 weeks to heal. During the second treatment, a 48.7% reduction in wound volume was noted after 1 week. By the fourth week of treatment, a 98.7% wound volume reduction was achieved. By the ninth week, the ulcer epithelialized completely. At 1-month and 12-month follow-ups, the site remained fully epithelialized. No iatrogenic ulcerations, cast discomfort, or ambulatory dysfunction were reported by the patient. CONCLUSION: In this case, the C-TCC helped address flexible frontal plane deformities and facilitated healing. Randomized, controlled clinical studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of different TCC methods are needed to guide care and improve the utilization of optimal offloading methods for the management of plantar foot ulcers.

Interdigital Pedal Erythrasma treated with one-time dose of oral clarithromycin 1 g: Two case reports.

The following are the first detailed cases of Interdigital Pedal Erythrasma successfully treated with a one-time dose of oral clarithromycin 1 g. This is ideal for patients who failed topical therapy or have mechanical or psychosocial restrictions. Treatment provides better compliance, less gastric side effects, and lower treatment costs than oral alternatives.