Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association最新文献

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a rare but aggressive fungal disease with high morbidity and mortality rates that tends to affect patients who are severely immunocompromised. Early recognition of the infection and prompt intervention is critical for treatment success. In recent years the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a surge in the number of cases of mucormycosis. This study aims to report an unfortunate event involving an immunocompromised elderly man with mucormycosis of the foot who died as a result of sepsis caused by COVID-19. It is important to have a high clinical suspicion for mucormycosis when a clinical lesion develops, and to appropriately perform biopsy the lesion in question, particularly in the context of COVID-19. Raising awareness of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis may allow for early detection of the disease, thus enabling the initiation of rapid treatment, ultimately saving lives.

Background: It is well documented that diabetes has a systemic impact on bone mineral density. Recent literature has evaluated the relationship between the development of Charcot neuroarthropathy and reduced local bone mineral density; however, it is not clear if there is an association between osteoporosis/osteopenia and Charcot onset, or, even further, location of neuroarthropathic breakdown.

Methods: We retrospectively identified and assessed 39 patients with 41 feet (4 bilateral) with a history of Charcot breakdown who underwent a bone mineral density scan over a 15-year period. Demographic, radiographic, and bone mineral density information was analyzed.

Results: The average patient age at the time of bone mineral density scan was 53.44 ± 8.09 years, and 52.77 ± 8.19 years at the time of Charcot diagnosis. Four feet were considered Sanders-Frykberg I (9.3%), 17 were Sanders-Frykberg II (39.5%), ten were Sanders-Frykberg III (23.3%), and 12 were Sanders-Frkyberg IV/V (27.9%). Neuroarthropathic breakdown of the rearfoot region (Sanders-Frykberg IV/V) was found to be associated and preceded by osteoporosis and osteopenia at the hip as demonstrated by a lower Z-score (P = 0.05). Charcot neuroarthropathy was not associated with poor bone health or loss of bone mineral density at the femoral neck, forearm, or lumbar spine.

Conclusions: We believe that the present findings suggest a possible relationship between osteoporosis/osteopenia and the location of CN development. With these findings in mind, we conclude that patients with diabetic skeletal fragility may benefit from treatment of underlying poor bone mineral density to prevent the onset of Charcot neuroarthropathy.

Background: Cryotherapy reduces pain by making some reversible functional changes in peripheral nerves. It has also been reported to have a positive effect on the regression of inflammation and granulation tissue. Few studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of nail fold cryotherapy in ingrown toenails (IGTN) in adults, and there are no studies in the pediatric population. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of cryotherapy applied to the nail fold in juvenile IGTN.

Methods: This study was conducted in adolescent patients aged 12 to 16 years with unilateral juvenile IGTN. Liquid nitrogen was sprayed into the nail fold for 10 to 15 seconds with a double freeze-thaw cycle. The effectiveness of cryotherapy was interpreted by the clinician's decision, the improvement in visual analogue scale score, Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index score, and granulation tissue.

Results: According to the physician, good efficacy was achieved in 91.7% of patients (n = 22 of 24). We found that 54.5% of them (n = 12 of 22) were still in remission after 6 months. Rates of complete regression in granulation tissue were pronouncedly less in sizes larger than 5 mm (≤5 mm, 55.6%; >5 mm, 16.7%). However, adequate symptomatic relief was observed in 83.3% of stage 3 patients, even if complete granulation tissue response was not achieved yet. Significant improvements in visual analogue scale and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index scores were observed after cryotherapy (P < .05).

Conclusions: Nail fold cryotherapy is a useful alternative among conservative methods because of its rapid and high efficiency (91.7%), especially in mild to moderate cases, despite the high recurrence rates (45.5%) in juvenile IGTN.

Background: We aimed to find probable correlation between postoperative radiologic variables and clinical outcomes of surgically treated calcaneal fractures.

Methods: In a retrospective study, 70 unilateral displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures in adults with follow-up more than 1 year were asked to have a visit. Weightbearing radiographs of both ankles were taken and radiologic parameters, including the differences in values in Böhler and Gissane angles in comparison with the uninjured side, and calcaneocuboid and subtalar joint arthritis based on the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale, were evaluated. They were considered to find any correlation with clinical outcomes assessed by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot scale, visual analogue scale, Foot Function Index, and Tegner Activity Scale.

Results: A total of 61 men (87.1%) and nine women (12.9%) with a mean age of 38.9 ± 12.7 years (range, 18-67 years) were included. Mean follow-up visit for the patients was 25.1 ± 12.7 months. Mean scores of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot scale, visual analogue scale, Foot Function Index, and Tegner Activity Scale were 86.7 ± 12.9, 21.3 ± 22.2, 13.1 ± 15.4, and 5.2 ± 1.1, respectively. The mean Gissane angle and Böhler angle differences were -0.2 ± 8.6 and -3.7 ± 7.2, respectively. Regarding the calcaneocuboid arthritis, 50 (71.4%), 14 (20.0%), and six patients (8.6%) were categorized in grades 0, 1, and 2, respectively. Also, subtalar arthritis was seen in 15 (21.4%), 24 (34.3%), 20 (28.6%), and 11 patients (15.7%), categorized as grades 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistical correlation was found between any of the radiologic variables and clinical scores.

Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between Böhler and Gissane angles and the clinical outcomes in surgically treated calcaneal fractures. Also, functional outcomes do not change considerably among different grades of arthritis in calcaneocuboid and subtalar joints, at least during short- to mid-term follow-up periods. Radiologic findings after open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneal fractures are not predictors of function of the patients.

Background: Closing base wedge osteotomy (CBWO) is a common procedure to correct severe bunion deformities with high intermetatarsal angles. There are few data demonstrating the radiographic success of CBWOs.

Methods: We evaluated the radiographic outcomes of a CBWO. The primary aim was to assess the change in elevatus after a CBWO. Secondary aims included measuring the change in hallux abductus (HA) and intermetatarsal angles after the osteotomy. The medical records of 24 consecutive patients across 4 years were reviewed. All of the CBWOs were fixated with either one screw and one Kirschner wire or two screws. We hypothesized that the CBWO would reduce the amount of elevatus present.

Results: The mean patient age was 35 years. Average preoperative HA and intermetatarsal angles were 35.2° and 15.7°, respectively. Mean postoperative HA and intermetatarsal angles at last radiographic follow-up were 13.3° and 6.1°, respectively. The change in HA and intermetatarsal angles was 21.9° and 9.6°, respectively. All of the patients achieved clinical union. Mean radiographic follow-up was 6 months; median radiographic follow-up was 5 months. The mean preoperative elevatus measurement was 3.5 mm; the mean postoperative elevatus measurement was 2.0 mm (difference, -1.6 mm; P = .0282), indicating that the osteotomy plantarflexed the first metatarsal. Three patients had radiographic evidence of postoperative elevatus; they were asymptomatic at the last clinical follow-up.

Conclusions: Although clinical concern persists for the development of postoperative elevatus with CBWO, this case series showed plantarflexion of the CBWO. The CBWO is a powerful yet stable procedure for severe bunion deformities and should be viewed as a viable alternative to the Lapidus procedure.

Background: A rounded lateral first metatarsal head shape is associated with higher rates of hallux abducto valgus recurrence following corrective surgery; however, the effect of the lateral first metatarsal head shape on the hallux abduction angle (HAA) has not yet been explored in a nonpathologic, pre-pointe ballet dancer population. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the lateral first metatarsal head shape on the HAA when pre-pointe female dancers force their turnout.

Methods: Seventeen female, pre-pointe ballet students (mean age, 10.8 ± 0.95 years) participated in this study. Fluoroscopic images of each dancer's dominant foot were taken, and the lateral first metatarsal head shape was classified visually. Each dancer performed three consecutive stances of natural double-leg upright posture: both functional and forced turnout. HAAs were obtained by marking medial bony landmarks on paper and were compared to photographic measurements.

Results: No significant difference was found between the round and angular lateral first metatarsal head shape for the change in HAA from natural double-leg upright posture to forced turnout. Hallux abduction angle significantly increased by 4.6° (P < .001) in forced turnout compared to the natural double-leg upright posture for the photographic method, whereas the paper method demonstrated an increase of 2.6° (P = .007). No statistical differences were found between the paper and photographic methods in measuring the HAA for all stances.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest no association between the HAA and lateral first metatarsal head shape; however, HAA does increase when a dancer assumes forced turnout. The paper method demonstrated similar reliability to the photographic method and shows the potential for future use as a clinical tool in assessing hallux abducto valgus.

Calciphylaxis is a rare and devastating condition found almost exclusively in patients with end-stage renal disease. Nonuremic calciphylaxis, an even more rare diagnosis, occurs in patients with preserved kidney function. We present a fatal case of nonuremic calciphylaxis with delayed and unexpected diagnosis despite early biopsy and testing. The patient presented with a 2-month history of painful ulceration to the left leg. Early biopsy was negative for calciphylaxis. Laboratory tests were negative for renal disease and autoimmune disorders. There was elevated parathyroid hormone (96 pg/mL) 3 months after initial presentation and documented cobalamin deficiency. The patient went on to develop wounds to both legs and her thighs. A second biopsy of a left thigh wound by means of the dermatology service revealed calciphylaxis. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of calciphylaxis as a differential diagnosis for chronic necrotic skin ulcers, especially in patients with preserved renal function and those on warfarin therapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to create AO 44A1, 44B1, and 44C1 fractures using finite element analysis to determine the stability of Kirschner wire, intramedullary screw, and plate-screw fixation methods in fracture.

Methods: Using finite element analysis, the postreduction behavior of AO 44A1, 44B1, and 44C1 fractures with Kirschner wire, intramedullary screw, and plate-screw fixation methods was analyzed and compared in terms of displacement and stress.

Results: The lowest amount of displacement was provided with the intramedullary screw method in AO 44A1 and 44B1 fractures and with the 4-mm Kirschner wire method in AO 44C1 fractures. The total displacement of the intramedullary screw system used for fixation in AO 44A1, 44B1, and 44C1 fractures was lower.

Conclusions: According to finite element analysis results, the lowest amount of displacement was obtained with intramedullary screw fixation in AO 44A1 and 44B1 fractures, and 4-mm Kirschner wire fixation was achieved in AO 44C1 fractures.

Background: Many surgical techniques have been reported for treatment of ingrown toenails. Occurrence of infection after matricectomy procedures could cause clinicians to prefer using external braces in the treatment of ingrown toenails. This study compares patients with ingrown toenails who underwent the nail fixation technique and the Winograd technique.

Methods: Patients who underwent ingrown toenail surgery were reviewed retrospectively. The patients' demographic characteristics (ie, age, gender, body mass index morphology according to Heifetz classification, surgical technique, visual analogue scale values, time to return to daily activities [days], complications, and satisfaction levels) were all recorded.

Results: Seventy patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 33 underwent nail fixation and 37 underwent the Winograd technique. No significant statistical differences were found in terms of patients' age, gender, body mass index, preoperative clinical features, long-term satisfaction, and ingrown toenail recurrence rates between the two groups, but time to return to daily activities and visual analogue scale values were statistically significantly lower in patients treated using nail fixation compared with the Winograd technique.

Conclusions: Nail fixation can be an effective surgical treatment option for ingrown toenail.