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Refractory pain to the fourth and fifth tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint can be a source of disability and functional impairment. While pain has been attributed to injury, post-traumatic arthritis, arthrofibrosis, the principal causes of pain in the absence of arthritis are not well elucidated. The purpose of this study is to characterize arthroscopic pathology associated with chronic refractory pain to the fourth and fifth TMT joints. We retrospectively examined 24 patients that underwent arthroscopic surgery of the fourth and fifth TMT joints for refractory pain at our academic institution between 2015 and 2019. We used the Outerbridge classification for chondral lesions, the Kellgren Lawrence radiographic classification for osteoarthritis, and described intraarticular pathologies as acute hypertrophic synovitis, chronic synovial fibrosis, hyaline bands, meniscoid bodies, loose joint bodies, arthrofibrosis. Approximately, 31 of 45 TMT joints (68.9%) presented with radiographic evidence of arthritis. Approximately, 14 of 45 TMT joints (31.11%) were absent of radiographic signs of arthritis. The frequency of soft tissue pathology seen in these patients without radiographic evidence of arthritis was arthrofibrosis (87.5%), chronic synovial fibrosis (75.0%), and acute hypertrophic synovitis (62.5%). This is the first study to report arthroscopic pathologies associated with refractory pain to the fourth and fifth TMT joints.

We report one- and 2-year results of a prospective, 5-year, multicenter study of radiographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes following triplanar first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis with early weightbearing. One-hundred and seventeen patients were included with a mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) follow-up time of 16.6 (15.5, 17.7) months. Mean (95% CI) time to weightbearing in a boot walker was 7.8 (6.6, 9.1) days, mean time to return to athletic shoes was 45.0 (43.5, 46.6) days, and mean time to return to unrestricted activity was 121.0 (114.5, 127.5) days. There was a significant improvement in radiographic measures with a mean corrective change of -18.0° (-19.6, -16.4) for hallux valgus angle, -8.3° (-8.9, -7.8) for intermetatarsal angle and -2.9 (-3.2, -2.7) for tibial sesamoid position at 12 months (n = 108). Additionally, there was a significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes (Visual Analog Scale, Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) and changes were maintained at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. There was 1/117 (0.9%) reported recurrence of hallux valgus at 12 months. There were 16/117 (13.7%) subjects who experienced clinical complications of which 10/117 (8.5%) were related to hardware. Of the 7/117 (6.0%) who underwent reoperation, only 1/117 (0.9%) underwent surgery for a nonunion. The results of the interim report of this prospective, multicenter study demonstrate favorable clinical and radiographic improvement of the HV deformity, early return to weightbearing, low recurrence, and low rate of complications.

Diabetic foot infections (DFI) are an increasingly common cause of hospitalizations. Once hospitalized with DFI, many patients require some level of amputation, often undergoing multiple operations. With increasing importance on patient-centered metrics, self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) tools have been developed. This prospective cohort study aimed assessed the impact of DFI on HRQOL. Two hundred twenty-four patients completed the 29-item Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) survey. Secondary outcomes using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measures survey were obtained and included in the analysis. The study group was comprised of hospitalized patients with DFIs (n = 120), and the control group was comprised of patients with diabetes who were evaluated for routine outpatient foot care (n = 104); diabetic foot screening, wound care, onychomycosis, and/or callosities. Using this cohort, a propensity score-matched sample of hospitalized patients with DFI (n = 35) and control group patients (n = 35) was created for comparative analysis. The 2-independent sample t test was used to test for group differences on each of the PROMIS subscale outcomes. Using PROMIS, we found that hospitalized patients with DFI reported significantly worse HRQOL in 6 of 7 subscales (physical function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, social role, pain intensity; p value range: .0001-.02) compared to outpatients with diabetes evaluated for routine foot care. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups on sleep disturbance (p = .22). Patients hospitalized for DFI report lower HRQOL compared to patients with diabetes receiving routine outpatient foot care.

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a complication of neuropathy often secondary to diabetes mellitus and most commonly affects the midfoot. In these patients, reconstruction of the foot may be required for limb salvage. A superconstruct technique has previously been described using intramedullary beaming fixation of the midfoot and hindfoot to span the zone of injury. Inclusion of the subtalar joint in the arthrodesis construct is not consistently performed among different surgeons. The aim of this study was to describe midfoot beaming constructs and postoperative complications after midfoot reconstruction with and without subtalar arthrodesis. We reviewed medical records of patients who underwent midfoot Charcot reconstruction with an intramedullary beaming superconstruct. Patients included in the study had at least 3 months of follow-up and had Sanders-Frykberg II/III classification of Charcot neuroarthropathy. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for evidence of hardware failure at the latest follow-up evaluation. The main variables of interest were: hardware failure or nonunion requiring revision operation, deep infection, and unplanned reoperation. Thirty patients who underwent midfoot reconstruction were included. The mean follow-up was 67.4 ± 25.9 weeks. Twenty-two (73.3%) patients had concomitant subtalar arthrodesis and midfoot beaming. Overall complications were lower in patients with subtalar arthrodesis (40.9%) than those without subtalar arthrodesis (75%) resulting in an odds ratio of 0.271 (0.042-1.338, p = .146). Furthermore, increased number of screws used in the midfoot construct was negatively correlated with complications (r = −0.44, p = .01). An intramedullary midfoot beaming superconstruct with subtalar arthrodesis has previously been proposed to provide better fixation after midfoot beaming Charcot neuroarthropathy reconstruction. Our results suggest including the subtalar joint as part of a superconstruct for the reconstruction of Sanders-Frykberg II/III Charcot results in an 80% lower complication rate than intramedullary beaming alone. We also found an increased number of screws used in the midfoot results in a lower complication rate.

Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures are severe, complex injuries that can cause significant long-term functional impairment. Despite the controversies of whether these fractures should be treated operatively or nonoperatively, functional improvement can be seen with confounding variables that can be controlled by the surgeon. This article reviews prognostic factors that are associated with good functional outcomes following operatively treated displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is an accepted treatment for displaced tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ) fracture dislocations. In general, hardware is routinely removed after 4 months to allow restoration of joint motion and avoid complications of hardware failure. Because few studies report outcomes of TMTJ fractures with retained hardware, there is little consensus regarding the optimal time for hardware removal or if hardware retention leads to adverse outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic outcomes of retained hardware after ORIF of TMTJ fractures/dislocations in 61 patients. The mean age at the time of operation was 37.3 ± 14.9 years. ORIF was performed with 3.5 fully threaded cortical screws. Assessment of clinical and radiographic results was performed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgical treatment. Out of the 61 patients that were included in this study, only 2 demographic variables demonstrated a trend for an adverse outcome. Older age correlated with lost reduction and elevated body mass index correlated with hardware failure. The presence of diabetes was correlated with an increased risk of postoperative infection but not hardware failure. During our follow-up period there were 49 patients (80.3 %) without failure of fixation. In conclusion, our study suggests that routine removal of hardware following open reduction and internal fixation of Lisfranc injuries in patients may not be necessary.

To determine the degree patients with diabetic foot ulcers, Charcot neuroarthropathy and neuropathic fractures and dislocations fear complications (death, dialysis, heart attack, stroke, blindness, diabetic foot infection, minor and major lower extremity amputation [LEA]) that can occur and to assess if there is a difference between fears of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, Charcot neuroarthropathy and neuropathic fractures and dislocations and diabetic patients without these complications.478 patients completed an eight question Likert scale survey. The study group was defined as non-infected foot ulcers, neuropathic fractures and Charcot neuroarthropathy.Of the 478 patients, 121 (25.3 %) had diabetic foot ulcers, Charcot neuroarthropathy or neuropathic fractures and dislocations and 357 (74.7 %) did not. The study group had significantly higher odds of reporting extreme fear of foot infection (OR 2.8, 95 % CI 1.8-4.5), major LEA (OR 2.8, 95 % CI 1.8-4.4), minor LEA (OR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.5-3.5), blindness (OR 2.0, 95 % CI 1.3-3.2), dialysis (OR 2.0, 95 % CI 1.1-3.3), and death (OR 2.4, 95 % CI 1.4-4.2). In the study group highest rated fear measures were foot infection (3.71, SD 1.23), minor amputation (3.67, SD 1.45) and major amputation (3.63, SD 1.52). There were no significant differences in the mean fear of infection, minor amputation or major amputation.Patients with diabetic foot ulcers, Charcot neuroarthropathy or neuropathic fractures and dislocations reported higher fear ratings of diabetes-related complications compared to those without these complications.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality unless emergent surgery is performed. This study aims to understand the hospital course of diabetic and nondiabetic patients managed for lower-extremity necrotizing fasciitis by identifying factors contributing to readmissions and reoperations. About 562 patients treated for lower-extremity necrotizing fasciitis were selected from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database between 2012 and 2017. The unplanned reoperation and readmission rates for all patients during the 30-day postoperative period were 9.4% and 5.3%, respectively. Out of 562 patients with lower-extremity necrotizing fasciitis, 326 (58.0%) patients had diabetes. Diabetes patients were more likely to undergo amputation (p.00001). Neither readmission (6.1% vs 4.2%, p = .411) nor reoperation (8.6% vs 10.6%, p = .482) were significantly different between patients with and without diabetes. Neither readmission (7.2% vs 4.0%, p = .159) nor reoperation (4.1% vs 3.7%, p = .842) were significantly different between patients undergoing amputation and nonamputation procedures. In simple logistic regression, factors associated with unplanned reoperation included poorer renal function, thrombocytopenia, longer duration of surgery, longer hospital length of stay, postoperative surgical site infection, postoperative respiratory distress, and postoperative septic shock. Body mass index30 kg/m

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: During the last twenty years, studies comparing total ankle replacement (TAR) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) appear to demonstrate lower complication rates with TAR than with AA. However, advances in implant technology and surgical techniques have dramatically reduced complication rates. As a result, studies comparing TAR and AA require more patients to detect differences in rare events. Despite this, few epidemiologic studies have been performed examining short-term outcomes after TAR and AA using a contemporary patient population. The purpose of the current study was to compare perioperative outcomes after TAR and AA using patient data from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database between 2012 and 2017. Methods: We reviewed patient data from ACS-NSQIP database collected between 2012 and 2017 using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 27700 (TAR), 27702 (TAR), 29899 (AA) and 27870 (AA). Patients were then excluded if they were treated for fractures, infections, non-foot or ankle-related conditions or had revision procedures. Patients were also excluded if they were older than 90 years as ACS-NSQIP does not report age above 90 years. The study population included those treated in inpatient and outpatient settings. The main outcomes of interest were readmission and reoperation related to initial surgery, surgical site complications and hospital length of stay (LOS). Predictors of adverse outcomes were evaluated through multivariate regression of patient demographics, comorbidities and treatment characteristics. Results: Out of 1214 patients included in the study, 187 (15.4%) patients were treated with AA, and 1027 (84.6%) underwent TAR. Patients with AA were younger, had higher body-mass index, higher white blood cell count, more often had diabetes mellitus (DM) treated with insulin, received more dialysis treatment, had higher anesthesia risk classification and were treated in the outpatient setting more often than patients with TAR. Among outcomes, AA patients had longer hospital LOS, more deep surgical site infections and more reoperations than TAR patients. Post-operative readmissions were not significant but were higher in AA patients (2.7% vs. 0.9%, p=0.101). Combining these adverse outcomes, multivariate regression revealed that higher anesthesia risk category (p=0.0007), DM (p=0.029) and AA (p=0.049) had positive correlations with adverse outcomes. Conclusion: Ankle arthrodesis appears to be independently associated with perioperative complications compared to TAR, consistent with previous reports. Although complications were rare, patients with DM and higher anesthesia risk seem to be important factors to consider. Interestingly, patients with DM had fewer adverse outcomes with TAR than AA (3.8% vs. 7.4%). The difference was even greater in DM patients treated with insulin (4.3% vs. 13.3%) although only 38 patients had DM controlled with insulin in the cohort. Further studies are needed to identify patient populations at risk of complications, specifically those with DM.

Category: Diabetes, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a complication of neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus (DM) and may involve multiple joints of the foot, in particular the midfoot. Patients with CN deformity associated with infection, ulceration or pre-ulceration are at risk of losing their limb. In these patients, reconstruction of the foot structure through beaming arthrodesis screws for stabilization is often required. In addition to midfoot beaming, previous reports have advocated for subtalar arthrodesis. Fixation of the subtalar joint restricts motion of the hindfoot. This rigid fixation has been hypothesized to offer greater stability and fewer hardware failures. The aim of this study was to describe failure of midfoot beaming screws after midfoot reconstruction of CN with and without subtalar arthrodesis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with DM diagnosed with CN. Patient radiographs were evaluated for type of midfoot Charcot reconstruction and hardware failure. Patients included in the study had follow up of 3 months or more. The main outcome variable of interest was hardware breakage. Results: Eighteen patients who underwent midfoot reconstruction for CN were included. The average age was 52.7 years (±8.4 years), 10 (55.6%) were male, and the average body-mass index (BMI) was 35.8 kg/m2 (±10.3 kg/m2). The average follow-up time was 6.5 months (±3.7 months). In the current series, thirteen out of 18 (72.2%) patients underwent subtalar fusion along with midfoot fusion. Screw breakage occurred in two patients, one at the 1st tarsometarsal joint and 2nd-4th tarsometarsal screws in another patient at 9 and 6 months respectively. Both patients with screw breakage had subtalar fusion. A third patient who had subtalar fusion subsequently developed collapse of their talus leading to subtalar screw removal 3 months after initial surgery. Patients without subtalar fusion did not experience screw breakage. Conclusion: An extended medial column fixation with subtalar arthrodesis has been previously proposed to provide better fixation after midfoot CN reconstruction with beaming screws as it restricts motion of the hindfoot. However, little to no evidence has been reported in favor of this technique. Our findings suggest that subtalar arthrodesis may result in fixation that is too rigid, which may place the beaming screws at higher risk of breakage. However, the number of observations is a limitation of our study, and further investigation comparing these techniques is needed to fully evaluate the effect of subtalar arthrodesis on midfoot beaming outcomes.

Patients with diabetes mellitus that undergo ankle fracture surgery have higher rates of postoperative complications compared to patients without diabetes mellitus. We evaluated the rate of complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients, non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients, and patients without diabetes in the 30-day postoperative period following ankle fracture surgery. We also analyzed hospital length of stay, unplanned readmission, unplanned reoperation, and death. Patients who underwent operative management for ankle fractures between 2012 and 2016 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program® database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Multiple logistic regression was implemented. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated along with the 95% confidence interval. A total of 19,547 patients undergoing ankle surgery were identified from 2012 to 2016. Of these patients, 989 (5.06%) had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 1256 (6.43%) had noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and 17,302 (88.51%) did not have diabetes mellitus. Compared to patients without diabetes, patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had significantly greater adjusted odds of superficial surgical site infections, deep surgical site infections, osteomyelitis, wound dehiscence, pneumonia, unplanned intubation, mechanical ventilation, urinary tract infection, cardiac arrest, bleeding requiring transfusion, sepsis, hospital length of stay, unplanned readmission, unplanned reoperation, and death following ankle fracture surgery. We demonstrate that insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is a strong predictor of 30-day postoperative complications, unplanned readmission, unplanned reoperation, and death following ankle fracture surgery.

Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures are severe, complex injuries that can cause significant long-term functional impairment. Despite the controversies of whether these fractures should be treated operatively or nonoperatively, functional improvement can be seen with confounding variables that can be controlled by the surgeon. This article reviews prognostic factors that are associated with good functional outcomes following operatively treated displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

Category: Arthroscopy; Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Refractory pain to the fourth and fifth tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint is a source of disability and functional impairment. The etiology of fourth and fifth TMT joint pain may be attributed to injury, post-traumatic arthritis, or arthrofibrosis, however, the principal pathologies associated with pain in the absence of arthritis are not well elucidated. The purpose of this study is to characterize arthroscopic pathology associated with chronic refractory pain to the fourth and fifth TMT joints with and without arthritis. Methods: We retrospectively examined 25 patients that underwent arthroscopic surgery of the fourth and fifth TMT joints for refractory pain at our academic institution between 2015 - 2020. Patients were placed in supine position, thigh tourniquet placed, prepped and draped in standard sterile fashion. The fourth and fifth TMT joints were accessed medially through a portal between the third and fourth TMT joint and laterally through a portal lateral to the fifth TMT joint. A 30° 2.5mm arthroscope was used as well as 2.5mm aggressive soft tissue shaver. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was use to confirm location of the arthroscope and shaver. The intraoperative findings were recorded into the medical record. We used the Outerbridge classification for chondral lesions, the Kellgren Lawrence (KL) radiographic classification for osteoarthritis, and described intraarticular pathologies as acute hypertrophic synovitis, chronic synovial fibrosis, hyaline bands, meniscoid bodies, loose joint bodies, arthrofibrosis. Results: Twenty-three fourth TMT joints and 26 fifth TMT joints, in 25 patients, underwent arthroscopic surgery for refractory pain. Average age was 62.6+-8.3 years. Average body mass index was 31.0+-5.0 kg/m2. All patients had pain with piano-key test. Twelve patients with arthritis to first through third TMT joints and eight patients to second through third TMT joints required arthrodesis. Approximately, 71.4% of TMT joints presented with radiographic evidence of arthritis and 28.6% of TMT joints were absent of radiographic signs of arthritis. The soft tissue pathology observed in patients without radiographic evidence of arthritis was arthrofibrosis (87.5%), chronic synovial fibrosis (75.0%), and acute hypertrophic synovitis (62.5%). Frequency plot of soft tissue pathologies, Outerbridge classification and KL radiographic classification for arthritis are shown in Figure 1. Conclusion: This is the first study to report arthroscopic findings associated with refractory pain of the fourth and fifth TMT joints with and without arthritis. These findings provide information regarding pathologies associated with fourth and fifth TMT joints pain and subsequent treatment.

Previous reports correlating renal function and reamputation after transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) have been mixed. This study aims to evaluate renal function as a factor for reamputation after initial TMA during the perioperative period in a large population database. Patients who underwent TMA were identified in the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program® database. Reamputation was defined as unplanned TMA or higher-level amputation in the 30-day perioperative period. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Of 1,775, the rate of reamputation was 6.5%. Reamputation was correlated with higher white blood cell counts (p In the current study, CKD predicted reamputation after TMA and 30-day mortality. Our findings corroborate previous reports correlating dialysis-dependent renal failure and mortality. Whether patients in certain stages of CKD would achieve better outcomes with higher-level amputation rather than a TMA requires further study. Disclosure J. Ahn: None. K.M. Raspovic: None. T. Lalli: None. G.T. Liu: Consultant; Self; Gramercy Extremity Orthopedics. M.D. VanPelt: None. D. Wukich: None.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of gender on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using a generic (Short Form–36 [SF-36]) and region-specific (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [FAAM]) health measurement tool among a matched cohort of male and female patients with diabetes-related foot complications. The HRQOL of 240 patients with diabetic foot disease was measured using the SF-36 and the FAAM surveys. A total of 120 male patients were matched with 120 female patients with the same primary diagnosis, age, type, and duration of diabetes and insulin use. The SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were calculated using orthogonal and oblique rotation methods. The median age of the respondents was 54 years (interquartile range = 46-61). No differences in patient characteristics were found between genders. Among the SF-36 subscales, women reported significantly worse physical function ( P = .014) and bodily pain ( P = .021) scores with a trending decrease in general health score ( P = .067). Subsequently, women had worse orthogonal ( P = .009) and oblique PCS scores ( P = .036) than men. However, orthogonal ( P = .427) or oblique ( P = .140) MCS scores did not differ between groups. No significant differences in FAAM scores with respect to gender were appreciated. Our findings suggest that in patients with diabetic foot disease, women tend to report lower physical HRQOL compared with men. In efforts to increase compliance, providers should recognize the impact of gender on patients’ perceptions of foot-related complications of diabetes. This knowledge may improve outcomes by adapting more individualized and gender-specific approaches to patients.

Malreduction of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (DTFS) leads to poor functional outcomes after ankle fracture surgery. Difficulty achieving anatomic alignment of the syndesmosis is due to variable morphology of the fibular incisura of the tibia and a paucity of literature regarding its morphologic characteristics. We surveyed 775 consecutive ankle computed tomography (CT) scans performed from June 2008 to December 2011, and 203 (26.2%) were included for evaluation. Two observers performed quantitative measurements and qualitative evaluated fibular incisura morphology. Tang ratios for fibular rotation, anterior and posterior tibiofibular distances, fibular incisura depth, and subjective morphologies on CT were assessed using conventional multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and maximum intensity projections (MIPs). On conventional CT, the mean Tang ratio was 0.97 ± 0.06; the mean anterior tibiofibular distance was 2.17 ± 0.87 mm; the mean posterior tibiofibular distance was 3.52 ± 0.94 mm; and the mean depth of fibular incisura was 3.29 ± 1.19 mm. Five morphologic variations of the fibular incisura were identified: crescentic, trapezoid, flat, chevron, and widow's peak. The most common fibular incisura morphology was crescentic (61.3%), followed by trapezoid shape (25.1%); the least common morphology was flat (3.1%). Interobserver variability with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was slightly higher for all quantitative measures on MPR (ICC = 0.72 to .81) versus MIP (ICC = 0.64 to 0.75). ICC for incisura shape and depth assessments was poor on both modalities (0.13 to 0.38). This comprehensive CT study reports on quantitative and qualitative descriptive measures to evaluate fibular incisura morphologies and fibular orientation. It also defines the frequency of DTFS measures and the interobserver performance on 2 CT evaluation methods.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive modality of choice for the detection of static peroneal tendon pathologic features. The depiction of peroneal tendon subluxation using real-time kinematic MRI has not been previously reported. We describe the MRI and intraoperative correlation of peroneal tendon and retinacular pathologic findings, and the novel use of kinematic MRI in the illustration of peroneal tendon subluxation.

The purpose of the study was to review the incidence rate of new and recurrent ulcerations in transmetatarsal amputations after original ulcers healed with percutaneous Achilles' tendon lengthening as an isolated procedure. We reviewed 35 charts from period of January 1995 to March 2007, and 28 were included for the final review. Twenty-four ulcers were grade 1A, 2 were 0A and 1B, and 1 was 1C using the University of Texas Grading System. Time to heal of ulceration post-TAL was 9.4 weeks (range 3-72 weeks). For statistical analysis, we used binomial distribution for dichotomous variables. Results demonstrated 4 limbs did not heal, 10 patients had an ulcer recurrence (p0.001), and 6 developed new ulcers. Of the 28 patients in which TAL was performed, 16 developed new neuropathic ulcers (including recurrent ulcers; p=0.0099). High recurrence and new ulcers formation exist after TAL in patients with an unbalanced metatarsal amputation, and extrinsic/ intrinsic factors may need to be addressed to prevent recurrence.4.

Cuboid fracture accounts for a minority of all foot fractures in adults and often is indicative of a multiply injured foot. Understanding the normal anatomy and function of the cuboid and its relation to foot biomechanics is necessary for appropriate management. Clinical evaluation includes history, physical examination, and thorough assessment of the skin and soft tissues. Plain radiographs and CT are helpful in preoperative planning. Cuboid fractures may be managed either nonsurgically (splinting or casting) or surgically (closed reduction and external fixation or open reduction and internal fixation). Careful handling of the soft tissues is important, as is restoration of articular congruity, lateral column length, and a stable midfoot. Postoperative care consists of prolonged immobilization followed by 3 months of progressive weight bearing. Published reports of long-term outcomes and functional postoperative assessments are lacking.

In 1976, Bowers and Martin coined the term “turf toe” in the literature in response to the increasing injuries to the great toe joint being seen by athletes playing on new artificial surfaces and playing in lighter and more flexible shoes.1,2 The term classically describes a first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) ligament sprain, commonly seen in field-related sports.1-8 This malady can be an undertreated and oversimplified athletic injury of the great toe joint. Unfortunately, many times, any injury to the great toe joint that occurs during a sporting event is erroneously termed turf toe. Often a complete and systematic evaluation of all the structures of the great toe joint is not performed. A differential exam may be performed and injuries other than to the ligamentous supports may be appreciated but all are still coined turf toe. Some authors recommend reserving the term only when injuries to other structures (i.e., muscle, tendon, metatarsal, cartilage, sesamoids, etc.) are not involved and the injury to the great toe joint is purely ligamentous.1