Fixation with bioabsorbable pins in chevron bunionectomy.

Fixation with bioabsorbable pins in distal chevron bunionectomy reduces the inconvenience and the risk of infection associated with fixation with stainless-steel Kirschner wires, which leaves a portion of the wires protruding from the skin. However, use of bioabsorbable implants has been reported to be associated with osteolysis and formation of a sinus with a sterile discharge. We studied the outcome and complications seen with use of poly-p-dioxanone pins and those seen with use of stainless-steel Kirschner wires after chevron bunionectomy in 114 patients (144 feet). We found no difference between the treatment groups with regard to the prevalence of complications or the stability of fixation. Notably, the prevalence of osteolysis was quite similar between the treatment groups; none of the feet that had had fixation with bioabsorbable pins had formation of a sinus with a sterile discharge. We believe that bioabsorbable pins can be used reliably to fix the site of the osteotomy for a distal chevron bunionectomy without undue risk of osteolysis or other complications.

Outcome of nonsurgical treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Four hundred eleven patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis were assessed for predisposing factors. Each patient completed an outcomes assessment survey instrument that ranked effectiveness of various nonsurgical treatment modalities. Listed in descending order of effectiveness, the treatment modalities assessed were short leg walking cast, steroid injection, rest, ice, runner's shoe, crepe-soled shoe, aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, heel cushion, low-profile plastic heel cup, heat, and Tuli's heel cup. Treatment with a cast ranked the best. The Tuli's heel cup ranked the poorest. Most of the treatments were found to be unpredictable or minimally effective. The ineffectiveness of nonsurgical treatments noted in this outcomes study is at variance with most published clinical studies in which generally favorable results are reported after nonsurgical treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Outcome study of hallux valgus surgery--an AOFAS multi-center study.

Three hundred and eleven patients have been enrolled in a multi-center prospective study evaluating the outcome of hallux valgus surgery by the members of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. One hundred seventy-nine of these patients have completed six-month follow-up questionnaires, and 195 have completed 12-month questionnaires. The AAOS Lower Limb Outcomes Data Collection Questionnaire and the Foot and Ankle Outcomes Data Collection Questionnaire were used to assess patients' perceptions of their results. Both of these instruments are validated lower extremity instruments. They contain the SF-36 instrument as well as questions relating to lower extremity function. At six- and 12-month follow-up, significant improvement has been noted in the patients' SF-36 physical function scores, role physical scores, and bodily pain scores. Role emotional scores were increased at six months but returned to baseline at 12 months. The scores for physical health and pain and satisfaction with symptoms for the lower extremity have significantly improved. The global foot and ankle score and shoe comfort score from the foot and ankle module have also significantly improved. This outcome study is the first to focus on the patient's perception of results of hallux valgus surgery and demonstrates a significant improvement in pain, function, and satisfaction after bunion surgery performed by members of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.

Distal osteotomy for bunionectomy and hallux valgus correction.

Distal osteotomies are the original osteotomies performed in the first metatarsal for bunion surgery. Many of these can be fashioned to improve an abnormal DMAA. Correction of an abnormally wide first-second IM angle is a goal of the newer procedures. Lateral transposition at the osteotomy site first performed by Mitchell helps accomplish this goal. The chevron modification improves stability and offers sufficient correction for mild-to-moderate deformities. Fixation is recommended after metatarsal osteotomy. The distal chevron procedure has been associated with lower degrees of correction, but the risk of transfer metatarsalgia is minimized. Shortening is less likely compared with some distal osteotomies but can occur. Advanced age is not a contraindication for distal metatarsal osteotomy. Avascular necrosis is highly unusual after this procedure.

Foot surgery in the patient with diabetes.

Foot surgery for the patient with diabetes does not need to have negative implications. Limb salvage is always a worthwhile goal. The surgeon needs to consider prophylactic surgery in the patient with diabetes to prevent subsequent infections from developing in pressure areas. The assessment of hypoxia, with the help of a vascular surgeon when necessary, is of obvious importance. The large number of misconceptions regarding foot surgery for patients with diabetes leads to considerable confusion regarding surgical care. Many patients with diabetes recover from infections, as well as elective and ablative surgery. This may enable years of foot function to be preserved and is a worthwhile goal in all foot surgery involving patients with diabetes.

Disproportionate distribution of Burkholderia cepacia complex species and transmissibility markers in cystic fibrosis.

Several distinct species (genomovars) comprise bacteria previously identified merely as Burkholderia cepacia. Understanding how these species, collectively referred to as the B. cepacia complex, differ in their epidemiology and pathogenic potential in cystic fibrosis (CF) is important in efforts to refine management strategies. B. cepacia isolates recovered from 606 CF patients receiving care at 132 treatment centers in 105 cities in the United States were assessed to determine species within the B. cepacia complex and examined for the presence of putative transmissibility markers (B. cepacia epidemic strain marker [BCESM] and cable pilin subunit gene [cblA]). Fifty percent of patients were infected with B. cepacia complex genomovar III, 38% with B. multivorans (formerly genomovar II), and 5% with B. vietnamiensis (formerly genomovar V); fewer than 5% of patients were infected with either genomovar I, B. stabilis (formerly genomovar IV), genomovar VI, or genomovar VII. BCESM was found in 46% of genomovar III isolates and not in any other species. Only one isolate, from a patient infected with the ET12 epidemic lineage, contained the complete cblA pilin subunit gene. Our data indicate a differential capacity for human infection among the phylogenetically closely related species of the B. cepacia complex. The low frequency of BCESM and cblA suggests that they are not sufficient markers of B. cepacia virulence or transmissibility.