Stephen F. Conti

Evidence of validity for the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM).

Background: There is no universally accepted instrument that can be used to evaluate changes in self-reported physical function for individuals with leg, ankle, and foot musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study was to develop an instrument to meet this need: the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Additionally, this study was designed to provide validity evidence for interpretation of FAAM scores. Methods: Final item reduction was completed using item response theory with 1027 subjects. Validity evidence was provided by 164 subjects that were expected to change and 79 subjects that were expected to remain stable. These subjects were given the FAAM and SF-36 to complete on two occasions 4 weeks apart. Results: The final version of the FAAM consists of the 21-item activities of daily living (ADL) and 8-item Sports subscales, which together produced information across the spectrum ability. Validity evidence was provided for test content, internal structure, score stability, and responsiveness. Test retest reliability was 0.89 and 0.87 for the ADL and Sports subscales, respectively. The minimal detectable change based on a 95% confidence interval was ±5.7 and ±-12.3 points for the ADL and Sports subscales, respectively. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and ROC analysis found both the ADL andSports subscales were responsive to changes in status (p < 0.05). The minimal clinically important differences were 8 and 9 points for the ADL and Sports subscales, respectively. Guyatt responsive index and ROC analysis found the ADL subscale was more responsive than general measures of physical function while the Sports subscale was not. The ADL and Sport subscales demonstrated strong relationships with the SF-36 physical function subscale (r = 0.84, 0.78) and physical component summary score (r = 0.78, 0.80) and weak relationships with the SF-36 mental function subscale (r = 0.18, 0.11) and mental component summary score (r = 0.05, −0.02). Conclusions: The FAAM is a reliable, responsive, and valid measure of physical function for individuals with a broad range of musculoskeletal disorders of the lower leg, foot, and ankle.

Wound-Healing Risk Factors After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Calcaneal Fractures

This retrospective study investigated outcomes of wound healing in a series of 63 consecutive patients with 64 fractures of the calcaneus who underwent open reduction and internal fixation done by two surgeons experienced in this fracture during a 3-year period. Thirty-nine patients were managed preoperatively as outpatient referrals before surgery. Twenty-four patients were admitted directly to the trauma service and were managed as inpatients preoperatively. Minimum patient follow-up was 6 months, with an average follow-up of 18 months. A trend correlating the time between injury and operative intervention with the incidence of complications in wounds was noted; the incidence rose in patients who underwent surgery >5 days after their injury. Two-layered closures had a lower incidence of dehiscence compared to single-layered tension-relieving sutures. Patients with a higher body-mass index (BMI) (kg/ m2) took longer to heal their wounds. Strong trends were noted to link BMI and severity of fractures. In the outpatient group, a history of active smoking preoperatively correlated with increased time to wound healing. In 43 patients, there were no wound-healing complications. In 21 feet, there were varying degrees of wound dehiscence. Average wound healing took 47 days. Risk factors for complications in the wound after calcaneal open reduction and internal fixation include single layered closure, high BMI, extended time between injury and surgery, and smoking. Age, type of immobilization, medical illness (including diabetes), type of bone graft, or use of a Hemovac did not influence wound healing.

Retrograde Drilling of Osteochondral Lesions of the Medial Talar Dome

Sixteen patients (16 ankles) with symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the medial talar dome were treated arthroscopically with percutaneous retrograde drilling through the sinus tarsi. The surgical technique allows preservation of intact articular cartilage, in contrast to traditional methods. All patients treated with this technique during a 24-month period were included in the study. Patient age ranged from 16 to 44 years (mean, 33 years). Follow-up ranged from 19 to 38 months (mean, 24 months). A staging system based on magnetic resonance imaging examination was used to grade the lesions preoperatively. Outcome was evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale. Preoperative scores ranged from 35 to 75 points, with a mean of 53.9 points. Postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores ranged from 48 to 100 points, with a mean of 82.6 points. Mean improvement was 25 points. There were no surgical complications. Short-term results were comparable to results reported with other available techniques

Foot and ankle fractures in elderly white women. Incidence and risk factors.

Background: Although foot and ankle fractures are among the most common nonspinal fractures occurring in older women, little is known about their epidemiology. This study was designed to determine the incidence of and risk factors for foot and ankle fractures in a cohort of 9704 elderly, nonblack women enrolled in the multicenter Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Methods: At their first clinic visit, between 1986 and 1988, the women provided information regarding lifestyle, subjective health, and function. Bone mineral density was measured in the proximal and distal parts of the radius and in the calcaneus. The women were followed for a mean of 10.2 years, during which time 301 of them had a foot fracture and 291 had an ankle fracture. The fractures were classified with use of a modification of the Orthopaedic Trauma Associations guidelines. Results: The incidence of foot fractures was 3.1 per 1000 woman-years, and the incidence of ankle fractures was 3.0 per 1000 woman-years. The most common ankle fracture was an isolated fibular fracture (prevalence, 57.6%), and the most common foot fracture was a fracture of the fifth metatarsal (56.9%). Women who sustained an ankle fracture had been slightly younger at the time of study enrollment than the women who did not sustain such a fracture (71.0 compared with 71.7 years), they had a higher body mass index (27.6 compared with 26.5), and they were more likely to have fallen within the twelve months prior to filling out the original questionnaire (38.1% compared with 29.7%). The appendicular bone mineral density was not significantly different between these two groups of subjects. Women who sustained a foot fracture had a lower bone mineral density in the distal part of the radius (0.345 g/cm 2 compared with 0.363 g/cm 2 ) and a lower calcaneal bone mineral density (0.394 g/cm 2 compared with 0.404 g/cm 2 ) than the women without a foot fracture, they were less likely to be physically active (62.3% compared with 67.8%), and they were more likely to have had a previous fracture after the age of fifty (45.5% compared with 36.8%) and to be using either long or short-acting benzodiazepines. Conclusions: Overall, foot fractures appeared to be typical osteoporotic fractures, whereas ankle fractures occurred in younger women with a relatively high body mass index. Level of Evidence: Prognostic study, Level I-1 (prospective study). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

An outcome study of chronic achilles tendinosis after excision of the achilles tendon and flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer

Background: A number of operative techniques, including decompression with debridement and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon augmentation, have been described for chronic degenerative Achilles tendinosis. Decompression with debridement has been shown to be effective; however, pain and functional limitation can persist in individuals with more severe tendon involvement. Augmentation with the FHL tendon can add mechanical support; however, difficulty in achieving proper tendon tensioning and the potential to leave behind painful diseased tendon are disadvantages of the technique. The purpose of this study was to present the results of a modified technique in which the Achilles tendon is completely excised and the FHL tendon is transferred. Methods: Fifty-six surgeries using this modified technique were done between October, 1994, and March, 2002, for patients with chronic degenerative Achilles tendinosis. Forty-four patients with and average age of 58.2 (SD 10.1) years and an average time of followup of 3.4 (SD 1.9) years were available for testing. All subjects were mailed a packet of standardized questionnaire information that included the Self-Reported Health Related Quality of Life measures Short Form (SF-36) and the subjective component of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot Score. Nineteen patients returned to the clinic for objective assessment. Statistical analysis tested for a difference in the SF-36 scores between our subjects and the general United States population and for a difference in strength and range of motion between the involved and uninvolved lower extremities. Results: Pain decreased in 95.5% (n = 42) patients, and 86.4% (n = 38) patients were satisfied with the result. There was no significant difference (p >.05) between the SF-36 scores obtained by our sample compared to the general United States population. The average AOFAS score for the 19 patients was 91.6 (SD 7.7). Dorsiflexion range of motion was not significantly different (p = 0.17); however, significant deficits were found in plantarflexion range of motion (p = 0.001) and plantarflexion strength (p < 0.025). Strength deficits were 30% on average; however, all but one patient could do a heel raise. Conclusion: Complete Achilles tendon excision reduces pain while preserving functional status. Although strength deficits persisted, these deficits did not seem to affect the functional status in this sample of patients.

Outcome study of subjects with insertional plantar fasciitis.

Nonsurgical treatment programs have been shown to be successful in the treatment of insertional plantar fasciitis. 13,5,10,13,14,16,18,19,22,24,25 However, there is little support for one protocol in preference to another, and there is inconsistency in the treatments provided by various practitioners. Compliance with these nonsurgical treatment programs and the effects of various modalities on patient outcome have not been addressed, The optimal nonsurgical treatment protocol for insertional plantar fasciitis is not clear, and many studies have documented good clinical results with many different regimes,1-3,5,1 0,13,14,16,18,19,22,24,25 Treatments have included one or more of the following: stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, night splints, therapeutic modalities, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID), custom orthoses, heel cups, shoe modifications, casting, steroid injections, and surgery.4,6-8,10-14,16,18,19,21-24

Clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging in preoperative planning for reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon ruptures.

A retrospective study of attenuated/ruptured posterior tibial tendons was conducted of all patients who underwent tendon reconstruction over a 4-year period. The study comprised 20 feet in 19 patients having an average age of 53.3 years, with an average follow-up of 2 years. Preoperative magnetic resonance images were taken and graded for assignment to one of three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based groups. The surgical grade was determined intraoperatively based on a previously described classification scheme. No medical or rheumatologic conditions predisposing to failure could be identified. Failure was defined as postoperative progression of pain and deformity which required subsequent triple arthrodesis. There were six failures at an average of 14.7 months. Surgical evaluation was not correlated to outcome following reconstruction. MRI grading, however, was predictive of outcome. The superior sensitivity of MRI for detecting intramural degeneration in the posterior tibial tendon that was not obvious at surgery may explain why MRI is better than intraoperative tendon inspection for predicting the outcome of reconstructive surgery. Therefore, it may be helpful to obtain preoperative MRI when this particular reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon is contemplated, since this provides the best measure of tendon integrity and appears to be the best predictor of clinical success after such surgery.

Ankle arthrodesis: indications and techniques.

&NA; Patients with ankle arthritis and deformity can experience severe pain and functional disability. Those patients who do not respond to nonoperative treatment modalities are candidates for ankle arthrodesis, provided pathologic changes in the subtalar region can be ruled out. Several techniques are available for performing the procedure; the most successful combine an open approach with compression and internal fixation. The foot must be positioned with regard to overall limb alignment and in the optimal position for function. A nonunion rate as high as 40% has been reported. Osteonecrosis of the talus and smoking are known risk factors for nonunion. When good surgical technique is used in carefully selected patients, ankle arthrodesis can be a reliable procedure for the relief of functionally disabling ankle arthritis, deformity, and pain.

Surgical Treatment of Neuroarthropathic Foot Deformity

Twenty-seven feet with neuroarthropathic fracture resulting in significant deformity were treated with surgical reconstruction. The average age of the patients was 57 years with 21 patients having diabetes mellitus an average of 24 years. Five patterns of midfoot collapse were identified. The most common patterns involved abduction and dorsal displacement of the forefoot with equinus of the hindfoot. Preoperative evaluation included a medical assessment, adequate control of blood sugar, and a comprehensive vascular evaluation. Five patients presented for surgical consultation with open plantar ulcers. Four were healed with total contact casting alone whereas one patient required an exostectomy to heal the ulcer before surgery. After reconstruction, all feet had improvement in their weightbearing posture. For feet with midfoot involvement, the average anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle increased 5°, and the average lateral talo-first metatarsal angle decreased 6.5°. There was no significant loss of correction at long term follow-up. The average time in a cast postoperatively was 5.7 months, and the time to unrestricted weightbearing was 7 months. All patients were able to wear over-the-counter footwear postoperatively. Significant complications included six nonunions and two feet with extension of the neuroarthropathic process. One nonunion required revision surgery, and the feet with extension of their neuroarthropathic fractures required conversion of a triple arthrodesis to a pantalar fusion and the addition of a triple arthrodesis after a successful midfoot fusion. No infections or amputations occurred as a result of the surgery. Function increased and pain decreased as a result of successful arthrodesis. Surgical reconstruction of midfoot, hindfoot, and ankle neuroarthropathic deformity is a viable alternative to amputation for patients who fail nonoperative care. Proper preoperative evaluation and assessment will result in a rate of complications comparable to foot surgery in nondiabetic patients.

Revision ankle arthrodesis.

Between 1996 and 1999, we performed successful revision ankle arthrodesis for aseptic nonunion in 10 patients using external fixation with bone graft and an implantable bone stimulator. The etiology of the ankle arthrosis in the patients was post-traumatic in eight and rheumatologic in two. The average age of the patients was 54. On average, each patient had received 2.5 previous surgeries (range, 1 to 5) prior to the original fusion attempt. Fusion occurred in all 10 of these patients at an average of 12.8 weeks following revision (range, nine to 20 weeks). Complications occurred in two patients: one had a pin tract infection which resolved with local pin care and oral antibiotics; the second patient had a varus malalignment which was accommodated with orthotics. This patient also had a deep peroneal nerve neuropraxia which resolved with observation. We evaluated all 10 patients with clinical and radiographic examination, and determined their functional results for a duration of follow-up of 15 months (range, six to 36 months). Using a modification of the AOFAS ankle/hindfoot scoring system, the results were: three excellent, four good, two fair, and one poor. All but one of these patients were satisfied with the outcome of this procedure. Radiographic analysis supported good clinical alignment and solid fusion.