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Background: Achilles tendon ruptures that are older than 4-6 weeks or developed over a more extended period are chronic. Two challenges characterize the treatment. First, defect zones over a length of several centimeters must frequently be bridged. Second, a prolonged loss of function of the muscles leads to an irreversible fatty degeneration of the tissue. So that even if the tendon is restored, significant functional deficits remain. If there are doubts about the ability of the calf muscles to regenerate, regardless of the size of the defect, tendon transfers are recommended to use the power of an additional muscle to support the plantar flexion of the ankle., Treatment: Established concepts are the transposition of the flexor hallucis longus or the peroneus brevis muscle. If the muscle is intact, defects of up to 2 cm can be treated with a direct suture. Defects between 2 and 5 cm can be bridged using a VY-plasty or a turndown flap. For larger defects, free tendon transplants can be considered. The technical alternative for larger defects is a tendon transfer of the flexor hallucis longus or the peroneus brevis muscle. Besides bridging the defect, another advantage of tendon transfer is that vital muscle tissue is placed in the bed of the Achilles tendon. Both tendons are covered with muscle tissue over nearly the full length, which offers advantages, especially in patients with critical soft tissue or after infection., Follow-Up Treatment and Prognosis: Follow-up treatment is analogous to an acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, permanent impairments are possible; 75-80% of athletes regain their original performance level., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: The Cartiva implant (CI) is being increasingly used in the surgical therapy of hallux rigidus. Despite a growing number of studies, numerous questions regarding patient selection remain unanswered., Patients and Methods: As part of a retrospective case series with prospective follow-up (average follow-up period: 12 months), a total of 44 patients (male/female = 16/28; mean age at the time of surgery: 55.4 years) with 44 CI were analysed (VAS, EFAS-, AOFAS-score). Using a correlation analysis and a machine learning algorithm, risk factors for therapy failure were investigated., Results: The overall survival rate of the CI was 93% at 12 months. The VAS, EFAS and AOFAS scores showed a significant improvement in comparison to the preoperative condition. The mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint showed no increase. Patients with a medium osteoarthritis grade and a medium level of clinical restraint showed the greatest improvement in relation to their preoperative condition., Conclusion: The CI can be seen as an effective therapy for hallux rigidus. Nonetheless, realistic patient expectations must be communicated., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest./Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Neuro-osteoarthropathy of the foot (CN) is divided into an active and inactive stage, with impact on the further treatment. The histopathological Charcot score (HCS) can be used, to grade the inflammatory activity in tissue samples., Research Question: This study aims to clarify whether successful bony healing after arthrodesis is related to inflammatory activity of the disease., Material and Method: N = 80 patients underwent corrective arthrodesis of the midfoot (group 1) or hindfoot/ankle (group 2). A distinction was made between patients with/without diabetes mellitus and with/without pain perception. Intraoperative samples were taken to determine HCS. The osseous healing of the arthrodesis was determined by computed tomography 12 weeks postoperatively., Results: There was an indirect correlation between bony consolidation and HCS. In group 2, there was a significantly worse bony healing in patients without pain sensation. There seems to be a tendency for HCS to be increased in patients without diabetes/no pain sensation., Discussion: The present study confirms the assumption that corrective arthrodesis should be performed in the inactive stage of CN only. High activity levels obviously impede bony healing. HCS represents a relevant prognostic tool for surgical treatment., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Minimally invasive medializing calcaneal osteotomy, the implantation of a tarsi spacer and the tendoscopy of the posterior tibial tendon have been established as treatment options for tibialis posterior insufficiency grade II. The minimally invasive medializing calcaneal osteotomy allows a correction of the hindfoot valgus like an open procedure with a significantly lower risk of wound healing problems. It has gained increasing popularity within recent years. There is also good evidence for arthroereisis, with the use of the sinus tarsi spacer being primarily an addition to calcaneus sliding osteotomy. The possibilities for tendoscopy of the posterior tibial tendon are limited to debridement and synovectomy. Various papers report minimally invasive alternatives to the strayer procedure for a shortened gastrocnemius muscle. The proximal lengthening of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is particularly popular as a soft tissue-sparing, less traumatic procedure. So far, no reports of a minimally invasive cotton osteotomy have been found in the literature.

In surgical correction of cavovarus deformity bony hindfoot procedures are required in most cases. For treatment planning X‑rays in two or more planes are usually used. In conventional X‑ray-techniques the hindfoot and ankle joint are presented in a more or less outward rotated position. Moreover, the peritalar complex is not delineated in the most corrected position. Therefore, the frequently used talus-metatarsal-I-angle (Meary angle) cannot be measured correctly. By application of the Coleman block test and additional adjustment of the malrotation in the lateral view, the peritalar complex and ankle joint can be evaluated in the corrected and "hindfoot-centred" position. Also, the frequently seen anterior ankle impingement can be observed precisely. Planning of osteotomies or corrective peritalar fusions is supported thereby. Some treatment examples are presented.

Objective: Percutaneous correction of a hallux valgus deformity with or without transfer metatarsalgia., Indications: Hallux valgus deformity up to 20° intermetatarsal angle, without instability of the first tarsometatarsal joint., Contraindications: Symptomatic arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, as well as instability of the first tarsometatarsal joint., Surgical Technique: Percutaneous performed osteotomy of the distal metatarsal 1 in combination with a medial closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx of the first toe., Postoperative Management: The use of a postoperative shoe with a rigid sole allows adapted weight bearing in the first 6 weeks. Active and passive mobilization can start immediately after surgery., Results: The method is very effective to treat even severe deformities with or without metatarsalgia. The amount of correction is similar to open procedures. We recommend cadaver training to become familiar with this technique. Thus, complications such as nerve, vessel or tendon injuries can be avoided. The intraoperative radiation exposure remains significantly elevated even for experienced surgeons. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, there is less soft tissue traumatization compared to conventional open procedures. There is no need of bloodlessness. The minimally invasive Chevron and Akin osteotomy is a safe and powerful technique for the treatment of hallux valgus deformity.