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Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common source of posterior heel pain treated by orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Traditional surgical treatment consists of an open Achilles tendon debridement with re-attachment as well as excision of the posterosuperior calcaneal prominence with or without a gastrocnemius recession. However, frequent complications include wound healing issue, scar pain, weakness and sural nerve injury. Accordingly, the percutaneous ZO is gaining popularity in the field as an alternative to an open midline splitting approach. Limited literature exists describing outcomes of the percutaneous ZO using a larger sample size. The purpose of this study was to analyze patient reported outcomes and complications after percutaneous ZO with a minimum two-year follow-up period. Methods: One hundred and eight cases treated with percutaneous ZO were retrospectively reviewed across October 2017-July 2021 and outcomes data was available for 104 cases with a minimum two-year follow-up. Patient sex, age, and pertinent comorbidities were recorded. Postoperative complications and patient satisfaction following intervention were evaluated. Foot Function Index score (FFI) was utilized to measure patients’ pain and functional outcomes. Visual Analyzing Scale score (VAS) was also utilized to evaluate pain. These measurements were taken at preoperative and final follow-up. Statistical comparisons were performed using two-tailed, paired t-test with p< 0.05. Results: Mean follow-up time was 41.2±13.1 months (range 24-65 months). The mean FFI score improved from 56.1±5.9 (range 47-88) preoperatively to 11.0±5.1 (range 7-59) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Average VAS score improved in patients receiving percutaneous ZO from 7.6±1.3 (range 5-10) to 0.4±0.9 (range 0-7) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The overall complication rate was 3.8% (N =4). Of 104 cases, 98.1% of patients were satisfied with their procedure (102/104). Conclusion: The percutaneous ZO is a safe and highly effective intervention for treatment of IAT. At a minimum of two-years follow-up, this intervention is associated with minimal complications, improved functional outcomes, reduced pain, and high patient satisfaction. Table 1 Functional and subjective pain preoperative and postoperative scores as evaluated by functional foot index (FFI) and visual analogue scale (VAS), respectively

Background: Percutaneous Zadek osteotomy (ZO) has emerged as a surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) over the last decade. Existing literature is limited regarding the comparison of this approach with the more established, open ZO technique. This systematic review aims to evaluate and compare the current data on open vs percutaneous ZO approaches to help set evidence-based guidelines. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using the keywords (Zadek osteotomy) OR (Keck and Kelly osteotomy) OR (dorsal closing wedge calcaneal osteotomy) OR (Haglund Deformity) OR (Haglund Syndrome) OR (Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy) and MeSH terms Osteotomy , Calcaneus , Syndrome , Insertional , Achilles tendon , and Tendinopathy . Our search included the following databases: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The PRISMA protocol and the Cochrane Handbook guidelines were followed. All studies included were published from 2009 to 2024 and included the use of open or percutaneous approaches of ZO for the treatment of IAT with at least a 12-month follow-up. The MINORS score criteria were used to evaluate the strength and quality of studies. Results: A total of 17 studies were reviewed, including 611 subjects and 625 ZO procedures. Of these procedures, 81 (11%) subjects had a percutaneous and 544 (89%) subjects had an open ZO. The mean follow-up time was 16.1 months for patients treated with percutaneous ZO and 36.1 months for patients treated with open ZO. Both open and percutaneous studies included in this review showed postoperative improvements in AOFAS, FFI, VISA-A, and VAS scores in patients with IAT. The reported complication rate was 5.8% among patients treated with percutaneous ZO and 10.2% among patients treated with open ZO. Conclusion: Percutaneous ZO is an emerging approach with substantially fewer documented cases compared with the open ZO. Both percutaneous and open ZO appear to be relatively effective treatments for insertional Achilles tendinopathy with Haglund’s deformity. The lower complication rates reported for percutaneous ZO is encouraging. Further investigation with more subjects undergoing percutaneous ZO is clearly needed.

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Previous studies have reported conflicting data regarding 30-day readmission rates between patients of different races following orthopaedic surgery. Differences in specific reasons for 30-day readmission between races following orthopaedic surgery have yet to be explored. Methods: The ACS-NSQIP database was utilized to identify patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery and were readmitted within 30 days. Data was collected from 2015–2019, and patients were stratified into one of five race groups: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and White. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis for multiple comparisons was used to compare differences in continuous variables between racial groups. Chi-square analysis with post-hoc analysis of adjusted standardized residuals was used to compare differences in categorical variables between racial groups. Results: In total, 975,857 patients from the ACS-NSQIP database were included in the study. All-cause readmission rate was significantly different across races. Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients had significantly lower readmission rates (2.7% and 2.8%, respectively), whereas Black patients had significantly greater readmission rates (3.9%) (p < 0.01). Black patients had significantly greater readmission rates for deep incisional SSI, wound disruption, renal insufficiency, and pulmonary embolism, and a lower readmission rate for pneumonia compared to other races. Asian patients had a lower readmission rate for pulmonary embolism, wound disruption, superficial incisional SSI, and vein thrombosis requiring therapy. Conclusion: Specific causes of 30-day readmission were significantly different between races, with Black patients experiencing higher readmission rates and Asian and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients experiencing lower readmission rates overall. Our findings can inform which complications should be more carefully monitored in certain patient populations, and how peri- and post-operative management can be adjusted accordingly.

Category: Lesser Toes; Bunion Introduction/ Purpose: Bunionette deformity (BD) is a painful condition of the fifth metatarsal characterized by an osseous prominence and varus deformity. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of percutaneous distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) without fixation or post-operative strapping of the foot. Methods: A retrospective case series was performed on 111 patients (132 feet) with symptomatic BD who underwent percutaneous DMMO of the fifth metatarsal from September 2020 to January 2022. Patient-reported clinical outcome measures, including the Foot Function Index (FFI) questionnaire, the Visual Analog Score (VAS), and overall satisfaction were collected. Four- Five intermetatarsal angle (IMA) correction, time to bone union, and complication rates were assessed in all patients. Results: The mean post-operative follow-up time was 24.1 months. Both radiographic parameters and patient-reported outcome measures significantly improved after DMMO procedure. The average fourth-to-fifth IMA improved from 12.2 degrees, preoperatively, to 4.4 degrees, postoperatively (p

Background: Percutaneous ankle fusion is an emerging technique with minimal published outcome data. The goal of the present study is to retrospectively review clinical and radiographic outcomes following percutaneous ankle fusion and provide technique tips to perform percutaneous ankle fusion. Methods: Patients >18 years of age, treated by a single surgeon, from February 2018 to June 2021, who underwent primary isolated percutaneous ankle fusion supplemented with platelet-derived growth factor B (rhPDGF-BB) and beta-tricalcium phosphate, with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Surgical technique consisted of percutaneous ankle preparation followed by fixation with 3 headless compression screws. Pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were compared using paired t tests. Fusion was assessed radiographically by the surgeon on postoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) at 3 months postoperatively. Results: Twenty-seven consecutive adult patients were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 21 months. Mean age was 59.8 years. Mean preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 7.4 and 0.2, respectively ( P

Background: Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is a common injury with a growing incidence rate. Treatment is either operative or nonoperative. However, evidence is lacking on the cost comparison between these modalities. The objective of this study is to investigate the cost differences between operative and nonoperative treatment of ATR using a large national database. Methods: Patients who received treatment for an ATR were abstracted from the large national commercial insurance claims database, Marketscan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database (n = 100 825) and divided into nonoperative (n = 75 731) and operative (n = 25 094) cohorts. Demographics, location, and health care charges were compared using multivariable regression analysis. Subanalysis of costs for medical services including clinic visits, imaging studies, opioid usage, and physical therapy were conducted. Patients who underwent secondary repair were excluded. Results: Operative treatment was associated with increased net and total payments, coinsurance, copayment, deductible, coordination of benefits (COB) / savings, greater number of clinic visits, radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and physical therapy (PT) sessions, and with higher net costs due to clinic visits, radiographs, MRIs, and PT ( P

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common cause of heel pain and can be a source of extensive physical disability and financial burden. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) offers a potentially definitive, regenerative treatment modality that, if effective, could change the current paradigm of PF care. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical benefits of PRP for refractory PF offer inconsistent conclusions, potentially because of the broader limitations of using P value thresholds to declare statistical and clinical significance. In this study, we use the Continuous Fragility Index (CFI) and Quotient (CFQ) to appraise the statistical robustness of data from RCTs evaluating PRP for treatment of PF. Methods: RCTs comparing outcomes after PRP injection vs alternative treatment in patients with chronic PF were evaluated. Representative simulated data sets were generated for each reported outcome event using summary statistics. The CFI was determined by manipulating each data set until reversal of significance (α=0.05) was achieved. The corresponding CFQ was calculated by dividing the CFI by the sample size. Results: Of 259 studies screened, 20 studies (59 outcome events) were included in this analysis. From these simulations, the median CFI for all events was 9, suggesting that varying the treatment of 9 patients would be required to reverse trial significance. The corresponding CFQ was 0.177. Studies with reported P value .05 (CFI=5, CFQ=0.179). Of 36 outcome events reporting lost to follow-up data, 10 events (27.8%) lost ≥9 patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, on average, the statistical fragility of RCTs evaluating PRP for nonoperative PF therapy is at least comparable to that of the sports medicine literature. However, several included studies had concerningly low simulated fragility scores. Orthopaedic surgeons may benefit from preferentially relying on studies with higher CFI and CFQ values when evaluating the utility of PRP for chronic PF in their own clinical practice. Given the importance of RCT data in clinical decision making, fragility indices could help give context to the stability of statistical findings. Level of Evidence: Level I, systematic review.

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Hindfoot; Sports Introduction/Purpose: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) outcomes reaching statistical significance, frequently determined by p

Category: Trauma; Ankle; Sports; Other Introduction/Purpose: Increasing overlap exists between surgical care provided by orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and podiatrists. Use of either specialty depends on numerous factors including perceived costs. Unfortunately, large scale cost comparisons between the two are lacking. Such data is increasingly important given the current climate of payment reform and cost containment in healthcare. Using national Medicare claims data, we therefore aimed to compare per-case Medicare payments between orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and podiatrists for ankle fracture fixation. We additionally aimed to describe any differences between groups that may drive differences in payments. Methods: This IRB-exempt retrospective study included patients undergoing either unimalleolar, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar ankle fracture repair as recorded in the national Medicare Limited Data Set (2013-2019). Type of surgeon (orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon or podiatric surgeon) was determined using publicly available healthcare provider taxonomy information available from the Washington Publishing Company ( www.wpc-edi.com ) and maintained by the National Uniform Claim Committee ( www.nucc.org ); crosswalks between Medicare Specialty Code and Provider Taxonomy are publicly available. The primary outcome was total Medicare payments specific to the procedure, as a surrogate for cost (inflation-adjusted to 2019 US dollars). Additionally, patient demographics and hospital characteristics were compared between groups to determine if any specific factors associated with costs may influence group differences. Univariable tests (chi-squared and t-tests; non-parametric tests where appropriate) assessed significance of group differences. Results: Overall, 16,927 unimalleolar; 17,244 bimalleolar; and 11,717 trimalleolar fracture repairs were included. Of these, orthopedic surgeons performed more procedures than podiatrists (86.7% vs 13.3% for uni-; 92.4% and 7.6% for bi-; 92.2% and 7.8% for trimalleolar fracture repairs respectively). The mean and median age (71.6 - 72.7 [70-71] years) as well as the mean and median Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (0.6 - 0.7 [0]) did not significantly differ between patients treated by an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist (p = 0.157 and p = 0.890 respectively). Regionally, podiatrists saw patients more often in the West and Midwest whereas providers in the South were more often orthopedic surgeons (p < 0.001). Median procedure-specific Medicare payments for all three categories of ankle fracture repairs were significantly lower for orthopedic surgeons compared to podiatrists: $4,156 vs $4,300 for uni-, $4,205 vs $4,379 for bi-, and $4,396 vs $4,525 for trimalleolar, respectively (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this analysis comparing Medicare payments between orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and podiatrists we found that ankle fracture fixation procedures performed by the orthopedic surgeons were less expensive and that cost differences do not appear to be driven by patient characteristics. Additionally, we were able to discern geographic differences regarding practice location of both surgeon types. These data will inform future discussions on how to optimize costs of foot and ankle surgical care.

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Hindfoot; Sports Introduction/Purpose: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is estimated to account for 8% of all running-related injuries, affecting nearly 1 out of every 10 adults aged 50 and older. Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection may be an effective non-operative treatment option for chronic, refractory PF. However, RCTs in general have come under scrutiny due to a frequent lack of reproducibility, which is largely attributable to shortcomings of the commonly used p=9 patients. Outcome events that were originally reported as significant (p

Background: Open hindfoot surgery is associated with a relatively high rate of complications, including neurovascular injuries and wound healing problems compared with percutaneous techniques. However, there is a scarcity of literature describing the outcomes of these percutaneous techniques given their relatively recent adoption. The present study aims to assess the rate of postoperative complications for 3 commonly performed percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients (unilateral feet) were treated with one of 3 common percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies. Sixty-five patients (55.1%) were treated with a medializing calcaneal osteotomy for hindfoot valgus, 32 patients with a Zadek osteotomy (27.1%) for insertional Achilles tendinopathy, and 21 patients (17.8%) with a modified Dwyer osteotomy for hindfoot varus. Fisher exact test was used to assess for associations between categorical variables. Results: The mean age was 46.2 years and there was a mean follow-up of 16.1 months. The overall rate of postoperative complications was 3.4% (n = 4), and no significant differences were found between the different osteotomy types. Complications included 2 cases (1.7%) of transient neuritis, 1 case of prolonged wound drainage (0.8%), and 1 nonunion (0.8%). None of the complications were associated with any recorded preoperative comorbidity. Discussion: In this series, we found that percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies are a safe alternative method for the treatment of conditions involving the hindfoot. The rate of postoperative complications may be less when compared to the reported rates of open hindfoot correction and should be considered in patients with a traditionally high risk of developing a postoperative complication. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective analysis.

Background: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) outcomes reaching statistical significance, frequently determined by P

Background: Closed wound drainage has been extensively studied in the hip and knee arthroplasty literature with equivocal results on its clinical benefits. Although also used in orthopaedic surgeries like ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty, large-scale data are currently lacking on utilization patterns and real-world effectiveness. We, therefore, aimed to address this research gap in this distinct surgical cohort using national claims data. Methods: Using the Premier Healthcare claims database from 2006 to 2016, ankle arthrodesis (n=10,085) and ankle arthroplasty (n=4,977) procedures were included. The main effect was drain use, defined by detailed billing descriptions. Outcomes included blood transfusion, 90-day readmission, and length and cost of hospitalization. Mixed-effects models measured associations between drain use and outcomes. Odds ratios (OR, or % change), 95% CIs, and P values are reported. Results: Overall, drains were used in 11% (n=1,074) and 15% (n=755) of ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty procedures, respectively. Drain use dramatically decreased over the years in both surgery types: from 14% to 6% and 24% to 7% between 2006 and 2016, for arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty procedures, respectively. After adjustment for relevant covariates, drain use was associated with increased odds of blood transfusion in ankle arthrodesis surgery (OR 1.4, CI 1.1-1.8, P = .0168), whereas differences that were statistically but not clinically significant were seen in cost and length of stay. In total ankle arthroplasty, no statistically significant associations were observed between drain use and the selected outcomes. Conclusion: This is the first national study on drain use in ankle surgery. We found a decrease in use over time. Drain use was associated with higher odds of blood transfusion in ankle arthrodesis patients. Although this negative effect may be mitigated by the rapidly decreasing use of drains, future studies are needed to discern drivers of drain use in this distinct surgical population. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is a routinely utilized salvage procedure that treats patients with severe talar and subtalar joint disease. Unfortunately, nonunion is a relatively common complication postoperatively which can increase risks and costs for patients. The goal of this study is to review the literature to identify risk factors for nonunion post TTC arthrodesis and stratify them based on strength of evidence. A meta-analysis will be performed on risk factors when appropriate to establish values based on pre-existing studies. Methods: Five databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to May 17th, 2020. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full-text articles for those that included risk factors predictive of nonunion for TTC arthrodesis. Any disagreements were discussed between the two reviewers and a third reviewer served as the ultimate decision maker if a consensus could not be reached. Relevant data regarding participants’ characteristics, study design, follow-up time, statistical tests and identified risk factors were extracted from the included studies. The two reviewers independently appraised the methodological quality of the studies using the Quality In Prognosis Studies tool. Those risk factors described in multiple studies were included in the meta-analysis. Random effects meta-analyses were summarized as forest plots of individual study and pooled random effect results. Results were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Database search identified 428 articles, of which 113 were screened for full text. Eight studies involving 607 patients were included and 33 potential risk factors for nonunion were identified. Risk factors were stratified into demographic, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. Results of the meta-analysis established two significant risk factors for nonunion following TTC arthrodesis. Strong evidence supports that prior neurological deficits, such as Charcot neuroarthropathy and diabetes neuropathy, are associated with nonunion following surgery (OR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.56 - 5.23). There was moderate evidence to suggest that preoperative infection was predictive for nonunion (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.26 - 12.68). Although our meta- analysis did not find smoking (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 0.90 - 3.38) or diabetes (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 0.98 - 5.34) to be significant risk factors, multiple high quality studies support these as comorbidities that increase the likelihood of nonunion. Conclusion: TTC arthrodesis can be an effective salvage procedure but is associated with high nonunion rates. The results of our meta-analysis suggest that prior neurological deficits, such as Charcot neuroarthropathy or diabetes neuropathy, have strong evidence for failure to achieve union. Although our meta-analysis did not find other statistically significant risk factors, the findings of individual studies in our review suggest that diabetes mellitus and smoking are both factors which can lead to failure of fusion. Surgeons should be cognizant of these risks when performing TTC arthrodesis and carefully monitor patients with the aforementioned comorbidities to achieve successful results.

Background: With the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective foot and ankle surgeries were delayed throughout the United States to divert health care resources and limit exposure. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on patient’s willingness to proceed with elective procedures once restrictions are lifted and factors contributing to such decision. Methods: Patients across 6 US orthopedic institutions who had their elective foot and ankle surgeries cancelled secondary to the pandemic were given a questionnaire. Specifically, patients were asked about their willingness to move forward with surgery once restrictions were lifted and if not why. Pain-level and pain medication use were also assessed. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors that contribute to patient’s decisions. Results: A total of 150 patients participated in this study. Twenty-one (14%) opted not to proceed with surgery once restrictions were lifted. Forty-three percent (n = 9) listed concern for COVID infection as the reason; however, 14% of them would proceed if procedures were performed in surgery center. Twenty-nine (19% of the total cohort) patients had increased pain and 11% of patients were taking more pain meds because of the delay to their procedure. Patients who decided not to proceed with surgery reported pain reduction (3% vs 14%) and lower increase in pain medication used (5% vs 12%). Conclusion: COVID-19 has made a significant impact on the health care system. Delay of elective foot and ankle procedures impact patient quality of life and outcomes. Access to surgery centers may provide a partial solution during the pandemic Level of Evidence: Level III.

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: The establishment of the Open Payments Database (OPD) in 2014 made public all financial payments to physicians and hospitals by pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Since then, numerous studies have analyzed industry payment data to elucidate any correlations and trends. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in industry payments to orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons from 2014 to 2018. Methods: The Open Payments Database (OPD) was queried to collect information regarding industry payments to orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and all orthopedic surgeons from 2014 to 2018. Information was collected on physician education, regional distribution of physicians paid, number of physicians paid, median payment amount, and payment type. Further analyses were conducted on the median payment amount to the top 5% of earners and the other 95%. Median amounts were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U non-parametric tests. Results: Of the 1,416 physicians classified as orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons, Doctors of Osteopathy and Medical Doctors received significantly higher payments than Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (597 vs. 35, P=9x10-113). Only osteopathic and allopathic physicians were included in the main analyses. No significant difference was reported from 2014 to 2018 in the median payments to orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons overall ($616 vs. $810; P=0.13), in the top 5% ($148,864 vs. $158,349; P=0.53), and other 95% ($542 vs. $730; P=0.10). There was no significant difference in payments related to consulting fees, entertainment, food and beverages, gifts, grants, honoraria, royalty and licensing fees, speaker and faculty fees, and travel and lodging. There was a significant increase in industry payments related to education ($750 vs. $1370; P=0.002). Conclusion: Following the establishment of the Open Payments Database in 2014, it was expected that industry payments would decrease significantly. However, no change was seen in payments to orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and there remains a very large distribution in surgeon compensation. In fact, the top 5% of surgeons compensated account for over 99% of the total industry payments. While there are many factors that could account for this, foot and ankle surgeons should use data extracted from the OPD as a guide to ensure fair and equitable compensation for their work in industry.

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis; Arthroscopy; Bunion; Hindfoot; Lesser Toes; Midfoot/Forefoot; Sports Introduction/Purpose: With the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective foot and ankle surgeries were delayed throughout the U.S. to divert healthcare resources and limit exposure. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on patient’s willingness to proceed with elective procedures once restrictions are lifted and factors contributing to such decision. Methods: Patients across six U.S. Orthopedic Institutions who had their elective foot and ankle surgeries cancelled secondary to the pandemic were given a questionnaire. Specifically, patients were asked about their willingness to move forward with surgery once restrictions were lifted and if not why. Pain-level and pain medication use were also assessed. Univariate analysis was used to identify factors that contribute to patient’s decisions. Results: A total of 150 patients participated in this study. N=21 (14%) opted not to proceed with surgery once restrictions were lifted. 43% (N=9) listed concern for COVID infection as the reason, however, 14% of them would proceed if procedures were performed in surgery center. Twenty-nine (19% of the total cohort) patients had increased pain and 11% of patients were taking more pain meds because of the delay to their procedure. Patients who decided not to proceed with surgery reported pain reduction (3% vs. 14%) and lower increase in pain medication used (5% vs. 12%). Conclusion: COVID-19 has made a significant impact on the healthcare. Delay of elective foot and ankle procedures impact patient quality of life and outcomes. Access to surgery centers may provide a partial solution during the pandemic.

Category: Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: Ankle fractures are common injuries that may require surgical treatment consisting of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Injuries associated with increased pain levels are also correlated with increased opioid use, which is also recognized as a risk factor for bone fracture. There is a paucity of literature evaluating the impact of patients with a history of opioid use disorder (OUD) on postoperative complications following ORIF for ankle fracture. This study aims to investigate whether OUD patients are at greater odds of: 1) readmission rates, 2) emergency room visits, and 3) costs of care. Methods: Patients undergoing ORIF for ankle fracture with a 90-day history of OUD prior to the procedure were identified using national health insurance claims database. We selected patients that underwent surgical corrections as recorded by the following current procedural terminology (CPT) medical codes: 27792, 27814, 27822, 27823, 27766, 27829, and 27769. We matched cases with OUD to controls with a 1:4 of OUD to non-OUD controls. Variables that were matched between non-controls and controls included age, sex, Elixhauser- Comorbidity Index (ECI), in addition to comorbidities including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and tobacco usage. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds-ratios (OR) for outcomes of 90-day readmission rates and emergency room visits. Welch’s t-test was used to test for significance of outcomes of cost of care and ECI between the cohorts. A p-value less than 0.001 was statistically significant. Results: A total of 2,198 patients were included with (n= 485) and without (n = 1,698) OUD undergoing ORIF for ankle fracture (Table 1). OUD patients undergoing ORIF for ankle fractures were found to have a higher incidence and odds of 90-day readmission rates compared to controls (8.65 vs. 7.30%; OR: 1.20, 95%CI: 0.83 - 1.73, p=0.320), but failed to reach statistical significance. OUD patients were found to have a higher incidence and odds of emergency room visits compared to controls (3.50 vs. 0.64%; OR: 5.57, 95% CI: 2.59 - 11.97, p

Category: Ankle, Sports Introduction/Purpose: Ankle injuries can often have profound implication in the potential careers of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. Accordingly, a more thorough characterization of these injuries and insight into injury etiology is warranted. In addition, a more comprehensive understanding will allow proper education of athletes when injuries do occur. Here we review the incidence and effect of ankle injuries on NCAA athletes and their athletic season. Methods: Ankle injuries across 16 collegiate sports played by men and women from 2004-05 to 2013-14 academic years were surveyed from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP). Ankle injury rates per 10,000 athlete-exposures (IR), operative rate, annual injury rate trends, re-injury rates, in-season status (pre/in/post-season) at time of injury, and time loss distributions were perused. In effort to include both male and female atheletes equally, a sub-group analysis of contact sports played by both genders (C-BG) was performed to determine if there was a significant difference in risk when compared to those athletes that did not play contact sports. These sports included basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and ice hockey. Types of ankle injuries (soft tissues or bony) were also sub-classified and counted. Results: Over the course of 10 years, there were 14,080 ankle injures identified (IR=11.9). There were 8,978 (IR=12.1) injuries in males and 5,102 (IR=11.7) injuries in females. The rate of injuries that occurred in C-BG cohort (IR=14.5) was greater than that of the total group of noncontact participants (IR=7.6). When comparing injury rates between all contact sports(IR=14.1) and all noncontact sports (IR=7.6) the difference was found to be statistically significant(p

Category: Hindfoot, Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot, Sports, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Foot injuries represent a broad category of injuries that may have profound implications in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. Accordingly, a more thorough characterization of these injuries and what predisposes NCAA athletes to them is crucial to their prevention. This study examines the incidence and effect of foot injuries on NCAA athletes and their athletic season. Methods: Foot injuries across 16 sports among men and women during the 2004-05 to 2013-14 academic years were analyzed from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP). Three common orthopaedic foot injuries were sub-analyzed, including fifth metatarsal injuries (5MT), Lisfranc injuries, and turf toes. Multiple variables were reported including injury rates per 100,000 athlete-exposures (IR), operative rate, annual injury rate trends, re-injury rates, in-season status (pre/in/post-season) at time of injury, and time loss distributions were compiled and calculated. Results: A total of 3718 foot injuries were identified over 10-year period. 4.4% of all injuries were operative. Overall foot injury rate was comparable between male (IR=31.1) and female athletes (IR=32.4); however, the operative injury rate was greater in male compared to female (IR=2.0 vs. 0.6) athletes. The top three operative injuries were 5MT (45.1%), stress fractures (12.2%), and Lisfranc injuries (7.9%). 10.8% of turf toes are re-injury, and average time loss was 7.0 days. 43% of 5MT injuries were operative, and 19.2% were re-injuries. 40.6% of 5MT injuries were season-ending with an average time loss of 36.5 days. 33% of Lisfranc injuries were operative, and 7.5% were re-injuries. 45.9% of Lisfranc injuries were season-ending with an average time loss of 25.9 days. Conclusion: Foot injuries are among the most common form of injuries that occur in NCAA athletics. In addition, these injuries can sometimes lead to significant loss of playing time and may even result in the end of the athlete’s season or career. Certain NCAA sports such as men’s football and basketball may more likely predispose patients to season ending injuries and require operative fixation. Close examination of the kinds of foot injuries and their respective mechanisms may help elucidate trends useful in the development of various prevention strategies.

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Ankle arthrodesis (AA) and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) are often associated with significant postoperative pain; this may be mitigated by the use of peripheral nerve blocks (PNB). While smaller studies suggest PNB to be an effective pain management option in foot and ankle procedures, large scale comparative effectiveness data in ankle arthrodesis and TAA is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this national study was to evaluate PNB utilization patterns and its impact on outcomes such as opioid utilization. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the nationwide Premier Perspective claims database (2006-2016) on AA (n=10,049) and TAA (n=4,977) procedures. Mixed-effects models estimated associations between PNB use (defined from inpatient billing) and opioid utilization (during the total hospitalization period and specified by each day), hospitalization costs, length of stay (LOS), admission to skilled nurse facility (SNF), opioid-related complications, and 90-day readmission. We report odds ratios (OR, or % change for continuous outcomes) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Overall, PNB was utilized in 8.6% of TAA and 8.5% of AA. Both procedures demonstrate increased utilization of PNB from 2006 to 2016 (2.7% to 11.7% and 5.5% to 11.7% for TAA and AA, respectively). In general, PNBs were utilized less in non- teaching and smaller hospitals and among surgeries performed by a podiatrist (compared to orthopaedic surgeon). After adjustment for relevant covariates, PNB use was significantly associated with decreased opioid utilization during the total hospitalization period for both TAA (-15.7%, CI 22.8; 7.9%) and AA (-16.0%, CI 21.9%; 9.7%); this was particularly driven by a decrease in opioid utilization on the day of surgery. PNB use was not associated with reductions in LOS, cost of hospitalization, discharge to SNF, complications, 90-day readmission. Conclusion: In this first national study on PNB use in ankle procedures we found an overall low use of PNB while an increasing trend in utilization was observed. Importantly, PNB use was associated with significant opioid-sparing effects (especially on the day of surgery), while no effects were seen for other outcomes. Given the current low utilization rate, increased use of this analgesic technique may translate into more benefits in terms of clinical outcomes and resource utilization.

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Diabetes Introduction/Purpose: Demand for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and ankle arthrodesis surgery is increasing. Findings from other orthopaedic populations suggest an increasing comorbidity burden among those planned for surgery, however, data on TAA and ankle arthrodesis is lacking. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the nationwide Premier Healthcare Database (2006-2016) which contains inpatient claims on N=10,085 ankle arthrodesis and N=4,977 TAA procedures. Patients were categorized into Deyo Charlson comorbidity index groups with higher scores representing higher comorbidity burden: 0, 1, 2, =3. Outcomes were cost of hospitalization, length of stay (LOS), total opioid utilization (in oral morphine equivalents), discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) and 30-day readmission. Mixed-effects models estimated associations between Deyo-Charlson comorbidity index and outcomes. We report odds ratios (OR, or % change for continuous outcomes) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: In the TAA group, 64.4% of patients were in Deyo-Charlson category 0 while 24.1%, 7.6%, and 3.9% were in the 1, 2, and =3 Deyo-Charlson categories, respectively; this was 50.3%, 23.2%, 12.4% and 14.1% in the ankle arthrodesis group. The most common comorbidities were obesity, diabetes mellitus and chronic pulmonary disease. After adjustment for relevant covariates, patients in the Deyo-Charlson group =3 (compared to ‘0’) were associated with stepwise effects of 77.1% (CI 70.9%;83.6%) longer LOS and 48.5% (CI 44.0%;53.2%) higher cost of hospitalization with higher odds for admission to a SNF (OR=3.12 CI 2.64;3.70), all P

Category: Hindfoot, Sports, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Achilles tendon rupture is a potentially devastating injury particularly for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes. Little has been studied regarding the incidence and implications of Achilles tendon ruptures in this patient population. Better characterization of the factors commonly found in athletes who rupture their Achilles may provide clues to aid in their prevention. Methods: Achilles injuries across 16 sports among NCAA men and women during the 2004-05 to 2013-14 academic years were analyzed using the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program (NCAA-ISP). Achilles tendon rupture rates per 100,000 athlete-exposures (IR), operative rate, annual injury rate trends, re-injury rates, mechanism of injury, in-season status (pre/in/post-season) and time loss distributions were compiled and calculated. A sub-analysis of contact sports and sports played by both genders (C-BG) was performed to determine if there were significant differences in risks in patients who played in contact sports. Results: N=255 Achilles tendon injuries were identified over 10 academic years (IR: 2.17). The injury rate was higher in males compared to females (IR=2.33 vs. 1.89 respectively). Achilles injuries were most common in Men’s Basketball (IR=4.26), Soccer (IR=3.06), and Football (IR=2.69). The top three women’s sports with Achilles injury were Gymnastics (IR=16.73), Basketball (IR=3.32), and Soccer (IR=1.81). Thirty-three injuries were operative (13.1%) and 14.9% (N=38) were season-ending injuries. The average time loss was 10.65 days when excluding patients who had season/career ending injuries. Reinjury rate was 11.0% (N=28). 61.2% of all injuries occurred during the regular season (N=156) with 36.0% (N=92) and 2.7% (N=7) occurring in pre- and post- season, respectively. There was a significantly greater number of injuries in contact (N=198) versus non-contact sports (N=50) (p

Category: Hindfoot, Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Orthopaedic surgeons are the 5th highest prescriber for narcotics in the USA. Foot and ankle procedures can be amongst some of the more painful procedures in orthopedics. A recent study demonstrated that patient underwent open foot and ankle surgeries averaged 27.2 tablets of narcotics with 37% of patients unwilling to stop at 3-month post-operative visit. Percutaneous techniques for foot and ankle procedures were recently approved in the U.S., which allow for significantly smaller incisions and minimal soft tissue disruption, which may potentially decrease post-operative pain and allow faster recovery. The purpose of this study is to assess the total opioid consumption and time for return to work following percutaneous foot and ankle surgery. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 50 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous foot surgery (bony procedures with or without soft tissue work) by a single surgeon. All surgeries were outpatient procedures and performed under general anesthesia with a long-acting popliteal nerve block. All patients were prescribed 30 tablets of 5 mg oxycodone, 50 tablets of 500 mg acetaminophen, and 9 tablets of 600 mg ibuprofen post-operatively for pain control. All patients were given a log sheet to record number of pain medications taken during the first 14 post-operative days. The log sheet and leftover pills were collected and counted to confirm the amount of pain medication used at 2-week post-operative visit. Time return to work was also recorded in subsequent follow-up appointment. Results: All 50 patients returned their log sheet at 2-week post-operative visit. Mean age was 47.1 years. N=36 (72%) were forefoot surgeries, N=2 (4%) midfoot, N=9 (18%) hindfoot, and N=3 (6%) combined. Average oxycodone tablets taken during the first 14 days after surgery was 3.3 tablets. By the 14th day, no patient was taking any narcotic medication. The average return to work was 18.9 days post-operatively. Patients with forefoot surgery averaged 2.2 tablets of oxycodone with return to work at 10.4 days. Midfoot surgery patients averaged 3.5 tablets with return to work at 33 days. Hindfoot surgery patients averaged 5.3 tablets with return to work at 38.9 days. Combined foot surgery patients averaged 11 tablets with return to work at 54.3 days. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that percutaneous foot and ankle surgery has significant reduction and cessation in narcotic consumption post-operatively when compared to the reported values with open procedures in current literature.

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Management of basilar 5th metatarsal fractures remains a controversial topic in orthopaedic surgery. Both operative and non-operative approaches have been described as potentially effective treatment strategies in the clinical setting. Non-operative approach is associated with higher non-union rates and longer times to union; however, operative intervention exposes patients to surgical risks. This confusion has led to non-standardized treatment recommendations for basilar 5th metatarsal fractures. This study was therefore designed to analyze whether or not orthopaedic trainees recommend treatment that differs from the treatments proposed by orthopaedic foot and ankle experts. Our hypothesis is that PGY-level does not improve concordance of treatment recommendation compared with orthopaedic foot and ankle specialists as a reflection of the varied treatment algorithms trainees are exposed to during residency training. Methods: An online survey containing 20 operative cases of proximal 5th metatarsal fractures were distributed to 92 orthopaedic residents in two ACGME-accredited programs. For each case, residents were provided relevant weight-bearing radiographs, patient’s age and gender, and then two questions regarding treatment recommendations. Residents were first asked to decide between operative and non-operative treatment. When the choice was operative, the second question focused on identifying operative reasoning (age, fracture pattern/location, or both). If the respondent chose non-operative treatment, however, the second question instead asked about a recommended weight-bearing status (weight-bearing as tolerated vs. non-weight-bearing). Resident’s recommended treatment was then matched against ultimate treatment by orthopaedic foot and ankle experts, which are all operative. This association was termed the rate of concordant treatment. Pearson’s rho is calculated for associations between the rate of concordant treatment with PGY and trainee foot and ankle experience. Fleiss’ kappa was used to assess the inter-observer agreement. Results: Seventy-two residents returned the survey. The overall concordance rate was 28.33% (32.06% for PGY-1, 32.86% for PGY-2, 31.79% for PGY-3, 19.67% for PGY-4, and 24.58% for PGY-5) with no correlation between agreement rate and PGY-years (Spearman’s r = -0.214, p=0.071). The overall concordance rate for treatment of Jones’ fractures was 34.44% (29.41% for PGY-1, 34.29% for PGY-2, 42.86% for PGY-3, 28% for PGY-4, and 40% for PGY-5) with no correlation between agreement rate and PGY-years (Spearman’s r = 0.073 p=0.540). No difference in agreement rate was observed between residents who had completed their foot and ankle rotation versus those who had not (24.71% vs. 31.58%, p=0.126). There was a slight inter-observer agreement in recommending operative treatment among all residents (? = 0.091, 95% CI 0.055-0.143). Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that there was no significant concordance between resident level in training regarding 5th MT fracture treatment decisions, nor between residents and subspecialty trained foot and ankle surgeons. The inter-observer agreement was in fact minimal amongst residents, suggesting that resident treatment recommendations reflect marked variability in clinical exposure and treatment decision making as trainees. Increased rotations with foot and ankle fellowship-trained surgeons throughout residency may be desirable to improve the quality of residency training.

Category: Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: Subchondroplasty® is a relatively new technique used to treat multiple conditions associated with bone marrow edema. Asymptomatic talus osteochondral defects (OCD) typically present with no bone marrow edema on MRI. Therefore the aim of this retrospective study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of an arthroscopic-percutaneous procedure for the treatment of painful OCDs using subchondral highly porous injectable calcium phosphate – to address the marrow edema - and intra-articular bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) – to address joint inflammation. Methods: From September 2016 to November 2016 9 consecutive patients with an isolated symptomatic osteochondral defect were included in the study. The Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Score (FAOS) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were administered preoperatively and at the 1 year postoperative mark. At 52 weeks patients were asked if they would have the procedure again. The procedure was performed by debriding only unstable cartilage and joint synovitic tissue. No microfracture was performed to prevent spilling of calcium paste into the joint. At the end of the procedure 8 cc of BMAC were injected into the joint. Patients were allowed to weight bear as tolerated in a sneaker postoperatively. Return to sports was also indicated as tolerated. Results: Mean OCD size as measured on preoperative MRI was 1.3 x 1.4 cm (range, 1 x 0.8 cm to 2 x 2.3 cm). Mean 1.7 cc (range, 1.5 to 2 cc) of calcium paste were injected in the subchondral bone at the level of the OCD, under arthroscopic visualization to debride any calcium paste leakage. All outcome measures demonstrated marked improvement from baseline to final follow-up: The mean weight bearing VAS pain score improved from mean 7.8 (range 6 to 9) to 0.5 (range, 0 to 1); the mean total FAOS improved from mean 67.1 (range, 55 to 79) to mean 90.6 (range, 87 to 95). At the 1-year postoperative visit all patients declared that they would have the procedure again. Conclusion: Despite the short follow up and the limited number of patients, subchondroplasty and BMAC injection offered good pain relief in all patients. The procedure is not technically challenging, it allows for immediate postoperative weight bearing, and does not compromise future treatments in case of recurrence of symptoms. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these results and to assess the long-term outcomes of the procedure.

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Total ankle replacement (TAR) is becoming increasingly popular amongst patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. This is in part related to the advances in design, technology, and technique that have improved TAR longevity. The ideal candidate for a TAR is not fully clear. For a long time patients over age 50 years, body mass index (BMI) under 30 kg/m2, and with low functional demands represented selection criteria for many patients. However, these criteria were based off a very limited number of scientific studies on older TAR designs. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical and radiographic outcome in patients of 50 years or less versus patients over 50 years undergoing a Hintegra® total ankle replacement (Integra, Plainsboro, NJ). Methods: This study includes 70 consecutive patients who underwent primary TAR from May 2011 to April 2014. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: the young group (YG) with age less than or equal to 50 years, and the older group (OG) with age above 50 years. Patients were assessed clinically and radiologically preoperatively and at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Results: A significant increase in the AOFAS and SF-12 and decrease in VAS scores was seen in both groups between preoperative and final followup (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the YG and OG for the AOFAS score at final follow-up. The YG had significantly greater improvement compared to the OG (p = 0.046). In addition radiographic results showed no statistically significant difference in the coronal and sagittal alignment between the 2 groups. The mean postoperative angles in either study group demonstrated significant improvements compared to the preoperative alignment. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that total ankle arthroplasty is an effective short-term treatment for young, active patients with symptomatic end-stage ankle arthritis. Our findings are in disagreement with the widespread theory that ankle replacement is a more reliable treatment in the elderly

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: The last decade has seen a considerable increase in the use of in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) to treat patients with end-stage arthritis of the knee. However, the longevity of the implants is still far from that of total knee and hip arthroplasties Methods: To introduce a systematic approach to the painful TAA based on the literature and on the senior author’s experience Results: See algorithm attached Conclusion: This new diagnostic and treatment algorithm may be useful to guide less experienced surgeons navigate through the possible causes and treatments of a painful TAA

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Periprosthetic Infections Introduction/Purpose: Periprosthetic joint infections represent a relatively infrequent complication following total ankle replacement (TAR), with reported incidence ranging from 2% to 8,6%. Early treatment of any wound infection is the key to prevent disastrous outcomes. One of the most recent TARs (Zimmer Trabecular Metal Total Ankle, Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN) requires implantation through a lateral transfibular approach. Potential advantages of this approach include the supposed decreased risk of wound complications, thanks to a preservation of the distal leg angiosomes. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare the rate of superficial and deep infections between TARs performed through an anterior approach and TARs performed through a lateral transfibular approach at 12-months follow-up. Methods: This study included 150 consecutive primary TARs performed between May 2011 and July 2015 with at least 1-year follow up. The 3-component uncemented Hintegra implant (Newdeal SA, Lyon, France) was used in 81 TARs (54.0%) through an anterior approach (group A). The 2-component uncemented Zimmer Trabecular Metal Total Ankle prosthesis, was implanted in 69 TARs (46.0%) through a lateral transfibular approach (Group B). Operative time, tourniquet time and superficial and deep infections were recorded up to 1-year follow-up. All patients were clinically and radiologically evaluated postoperatively at two, six and twelve months. Superficial wound infections were classified as dehiscence, eschar, or wound drainage according to criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for surgical wound infection. Deep infections were classified according to Fitzgerald’s classification: acute postoperative, deep late infections, late hematogenous infections. We compared the incidence of superficial and deep infections as well as the operative time. Results: In group A there were 4 (4.9%) superficial infections. Two of these patients developed a deep infection. Overall, there were 3 (3.7%) deep infections in group A that required: intravenous antibiotics and vacuum assisted closure; replacement of the tibial component and polyethylene liner; polyethylene exchange and VAC treatment. In group B, there were 2 (2.9%) superficial infections. One of these patients developed the only deep infection (1.4%) that was treated with antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of superficial (P= 0.687) and deep infections (P= 0.625). The mean operative time in group A was 115.2 minutes (65-150) and 179.5 minutes (105-333) in group B. Operative time was statistically different between group A and group B (P

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: The reliability of range of motion (ROM) measurements has not been established for the hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in patients with hallux rigidus. The aim of the present study was to prospectively assess the clinical versus radiographic difference in ROM of the arthritic hallux MTP joint. Methods: One-hundred consecutive patients who presented with any grade of hallux rigidus were included in this prospective study to determine the hallux MTP dorsiflexion. Clinical range of motion using a goniometer and radiographic range of motion on dynamic xrays was recorded. Inter and intra-rater reliability were calculated. Results: The mean difference between clinical and radiographic dorsiflexion was 13°. This difference was statistically significant. For all measurements clinical dorsiflexion was equal or less than radiographically-measured dorsiflexion. The difference was significantly greater in patients with a clinical dorsiflexion of less than 30° than in patients with 30° or more. Radiographic measurement of hallux dorsiflexion had an excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability. Conclusion: This study describes a reliable, reproducible, and straightforward method of measuring hallux MTP ROM that eliminates the “human” component of measuring clinical ROM and all the variables that are encountered when making said measurement.

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: An association between hallux rigidus and metatarsus elevates has been reported in the literature. These findings were based on standard weightbearing radiographs, but have not found general consensus among foot and ankle surgeons. The aims of this study were to 1) assess foot alignment in patients affected by hallux rigidus using 3D reconstructions from a weighbearing CT scan and 2) assess intra and interobserver reliability of weightbearing CT scan imaging (pedCAT, Curvebeam, Warrington, USA). Methods: In this prospective consecutive study, 50 patients with hallux rigidus underwent a weightbearing CT scan. The control group consisted of 50 consecutive patients that underwent a weightbearing CT scan for other reasons (i.e. assessing ankle fusion union, subtalar fusion union, etc). The following angles were measured by 2 investigators: 1st metatarsal length, 2nd metatarsal length, declination of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal, 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle, hallux valgus angle, and foot width. Each investigator measured each foot twice, 1 month apart. The mean of the values was used for statistical analysis. Results: Intra and interobserver reliability was excellent. There was a statistically significant difference between the declination ratio (1st to 2nd metatarsal) in the hallux rigidus group (0.81) compared to the control group (0.92). Hallux valgus angle was also significantly lower in the hallux rigidus group (12 degrees) compared to the control group (15 degrees). Finally, patients with stages 1 and 2 according to Coughlin & Shurnas classification has significantly higher declination ratios compared to stages 3 and 4. Conclusion: Patients with hallux rigidus demonstrated a lower declination of the first-to-second metatarsal, indicating metatarsus elevatus. While it was not possible to determine whether the elevatus caused or was a result of hallux rigidus, it appears that metatarsus elevatus correlates with the severity of the arthritis. The smaller hallux valgus angle in the hallux rigidus population indicates that true hallux rigidus in association with a true bunion is unlikely. Finally, weightbearing CT imaging proved to be a reliable method of assessing foot alignment.