Andrew J. Meyr

Statistical Reliability of Bone Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis

Bone biopsy is often referred to as the reference standard for the diagnosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (OM), and it also serves as an important interventional tool with respect to diabetic foot infections and limb salvage. However, the phrase bone biopsy lacks a standardized definition, and the statistical reliability of the pathologic diagnosis has not been previously examined. The objective of the present study was to quantify the reliability of the histopathologic analysis of bone with respect to the diagnosis of diabetic foot OM. Four pathologists, kept unaware of the previous pathology reports and specific patient clinical characteristics, retrospectively reviewed 39 consecutive tissue specimens and were informed only that it was a specimen of bone taken from a diabetic foot to evaluate for OM. As a primary outcome measure, the pathologists were asked to make 1 of 3 possible diagnoses: (1) no evidence of OM, (2) no definitive findings of OM, but cannot rule it out, or (3) findings consistent with OM. There was complete agreement among all 4 pathologists with respect to the primary diagnosis in 13 (33.33%) of the 39 specimens, with a corresponding kappa coefficient of 0.31. A situation of clinically significant disagreement, or in which at least 1 pathologist diagnosed no evidence of OM, but at least 1 other pathologist diagnosed findings consistent with OM, occurred in 16 (41.03%) of the specimens. These results indicate agreement below the level of a reference standard and emphasize the need for a more comprehensive diagnostic protocol for diabetic foot OM.

Débridement of the noninfected wound

The utility of wound débridement has expanded to include the management of all chronic wounds, even in the absence of infection and gross necrosis. Biofilm, metalloproteases on the wound base, and senescent cells at the wound edge irreversibly change the physiology of wound healing and contribute to a pathologic, chronic inflammatory environment. The objective of this review is to provide surgeons with a baseline understanding of the processes of débridement in the noninfected wound.

The Multiplanar Effect of First Metatarsal Osteotomy on Sesamoid Position

The standard classification system used to measure the sesamoids in the evaluation of hallux abductovalgus is a uniplanar description of a multiplanar deformity. Additionally, it cannot accurately describe a true measure of sesamoid positional change in the perioperative period because the first metatarsal is laterally transposed during corrective surgery. The intended emphasis of this investigation is to evaluate the sesamoid position in multiple planes relative to a stationary anatomical landmark following first metatarsal osteotomy for the surgical correction of hallux abductovalgus deformity. A retrospective radiographic review of 46 feet in 38 patients demonstrated statistically significant (P < .001) differences between preoperative and postoperative values for the first intermetatarsal angle, hallux abductus angle, sesamoid rotation angle, tibial sesamoid position, and tibial sesamoid grade. However, there was no significant difference in the sesamoid position in both the transverse (P = .07) and frontal (P = .29) planes when measured relative to the stationary second metatarsal. Based on the preceding results, the appropriate expected surgical outcome of hallux abductovalgus correction may be to relocate the first metatarsal on top of the relatively immobile sesamoids.

Complications and Salvage of Elective Central Metatarsal Osteotomies

In order to provide proper treatment intervention, the foot and ankle surgeon must develop a further understanding of the pathoanatomy and pathomechanics leading to specific surgical complications of central metatarsal osteotomies. In addition to providing the authors experiences and potential solutions with regard to these complications, a clear definition of the progression of the complication course is presented. The specific complications of floating toe deformity, metatarsalphalangeal joint stiffness, recurrent metatarsalgia, transfer lesions, malunions, and nonunions are discussed.

Preoperative Doppler Assessment for Transmetatarsal Amputation

A thorough preoperative vascular evaluation should be performed before the initiation of any lower extremity surgical intervention, but particularly in situations of diabetic foot reconstruction with compromised blood flow. The intended emphasis of this brief report is to provide the foot and ankle surgeon with an appreciation for the clinical vascular anatomy of the transmetatarsal amputation through a handheld Doppler examination.

The Physiology of the Acute Pain Pathway

A look into the physiology and biomedical science is a crucial starting point when investigating a topic. It is essential for a physician to have a thorough understanding of the basic mechanisms of acute pain physiology to make diagnoses, guide treatments, and follow outcomes. This article reviews the physiology of acute pain with a clinical emphasis on attack points of the pathway where interventions may best be warranted. It also highlights differences in acute pain based on the anatomy and mechanism of the tissue injury. The multimodal pain management approach is also introduced to emphasis clinical treatment options.

Descriptive Quantitative Analysis of Hallux Abductovalgus Transverse Plane Radiographic Parameters

Although the transverse plane radiographic parameters of the first intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux abductus angle (HAA), and the metatarsal-sesamoid position (MSP) form the basis of preoperative procedure selection and postoperative surgical evaluation of the hallux abductovalgus deformity, the so-called normal values of these measurements have not been well established. The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate the descriptive statistics of the first IMA, HAA, and MSP from a large patient population and (2) to determine an objective basis for defining normal versus abnormal measurements. Anteroposterior foot radiographs from 373 consecutive patients without a history of previous foot and ankle surgery and/or trauma were evaluated for the measurements of the first IMA, HAA, and MSP. The results revealed a mean measurement of 9.93°, 17.59°, and position 3.63 for the first IMA, HAA, and MSP, respectively. An advanced descriptive analysis demonstrated data characteristics of both parametric and nonparametric distributions. Furthermore, clear differentiations in deformity progression were appreciated when the variables were graphically depicted against each other. This could represent a quantitative basis for defining normal versus abnormal values. From the results of the present study, we have concluded that these radiographic parameters can be more conservatively reported and analyzed using nonparametric descriptive and comparative statistics within medical studies and that the combination of a first IMA, HAA, and MSP at or greater than approximately 10°, 18°, and position 4, respectively, appears to be an objective tipping point in terms of deformity progression and might represent an upper limit of acceptable in terms of surgical deformity correction.

American college of foot and ankle surgeons' clinical consensus statement: perioperative prophylactic antibiotic use in clean elective foot surgery.

Some controversy exists regarding the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective foot and ankle surgery. A task force was appointed by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) to provide a clinical consensus statement on this topic. The panel members performed a literature search and identified 6 studies that met the inclusion criteria. They then developed a list of 13 questions about which they attempted to reach consensus using a modified Delphi method. The questions were grouped into 4 categories: indications for antibiotic prophylaxis relative to surgical procedure; antibiotic prophylaxis in high-risk patients; antibiotic selection; and timing of antibiotic prophylaxis. Consensus was reached for all 13 questions. The panel members found that studies pertaining specifically to elective foot and ankle surgeries that were not level I evidence generally did not recommend prophylaxis. They also found that multispecialty guidelines, which reflect data that are stronger, tended to recommend routine prophylaxis, especially for surgeries involving hardware. In addition, many hospital systems support routine prophylaxis by surgeons. More high-level evidence is required to make a definitive determination about whether prophylaxis is necessary in elective foot and ankle surgery. Until that time, routine prophylaxis will likely be continued at most institutions, because few complications have been reported with the practice.

Epidemiological Aspects of the Surgical Correction of Structural Forefoot Pathology

UNLABELLEDnThe aim of this study was to associate structural forefoot surgical correction with theories related to the etiology of structural forefoot pathology. All forefoot surgical cases performed at the Inova Fairfax Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Center over a 76-month period (January 2001 through April 2007) were reviewed and classified according to the following surgical categories: hallux abductovalgus, hallux limitus, lesser digital deformity, and combinations of these categories (N = 1684 procedures in 1592 patients). The results suggested that the etiology of lesser digital deformity was associated with the etiology of hallux abductovalgus more so than it was with hallux limitus. In fact, a patient undergoing surgical correction of a hallux abductovalgus deformity displayed 4.63 times greater odds of undergoing surgical correction of a digital deformity, or deformities, compared to a patient undergoing surgical correction of hallux limitus (OR = 4.63, 95% CI 2.81-7.71, P < .0001). Furthermore, medial (second or second and third) toe deformity correction was statistically significantly associated with hallux abductovalgus surgery (OR = 3.34, 95% CI 2.52-4.44, P < .0001), whereas lateral (fifth or fourth and fifth) toe deformity correction was statistically significantly associated with cases that did not involve hallux abductovalgus surgery (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.20-0.37, P < .0001). The concept of flexor hallucis longus stabilization is introduced as a possible mechanical explanation for these results.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEn2.

Hallux interphalangeal joint arthrodesis.

Multiple osteotomies and forms of fixation have been proposed for arthrodesis of the hallucal interphalangeal joint. In this brief article, the authors present their preferred V-shaped osteotomy combined with the use of internal fixation to allow for intrinsic stability and compression across the fusion site. The authors propose that this basic technique be considered in order to obtain reproducible results in patients requiring hallux interphalangeal joint arthrodesis.