Level II, prognostic study.

Study Design: A 2 × 4 mixed-design ANOVA with a fixed factor of group (posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction [PTTD] and asymptomatic controls), and a repeated factor of phase of stance (loading response, midstance, terminal stance, and preswing). Objective: To compare 3-dimensional stance period kinematics (rearfoot eversion/inversion, medial longitudinal arch [MLA] angle, and forefoot abduction) of subjects with stage II PTTD to asymptomatic controls. Background: Abnormal foot postures in subjects with stage II PTTD are clinical indicators of disease progression, yet dynamic investigations of forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot kinematic deviations in this population are lacking. Methods: Fourteen subjects with stage II PTTD were compared to 10 control subjects with normal arch index values. Subjects were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. A 5-segment, kinematic model of the leg and foot was tracked using an Optotrak Motion Analysis System. The dependent kinematic variables were rearfoot inversion/eversion, forefoot abduction/adduction, and the MLA angle. An ANOVA model was used to compare kinematic variables between groups across 4 phases of stance.Results: Subjects with PTTD demonstrated significantly greater rearfoot eversion (P = .042), MLA angle (P = .008) and forefoot abduction angles (PϽ.005) during specific phases of stance. Subjects with PTTD demonstrated significantly greater rearfoot eversion (PϽ.004) and MLA angles (PϽ.009) by 6.2°and 8.0°, respectively, during loading response when compared to controls. During preswing, the subjects with PTTD demonstrated a significantly greater MLA angle (PϽ.002) and a forefoot abduction angle (PϽ.001) which exceeded that of the controls by 10.0°. Conclusions: The abnormal kinematics observed at the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot across all phases of stance implicate a failure of compensatory muscle and secondary ligamentous support to control foot kinematics in subjects with stage II PTTD.

Eighty six subtalar arthrodeses performed between 1985 and 1996 for complications associated with intra-articular calcaneal fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into three Groups: (I) 59 patients with calcaneal malunions (II) 13 patients with failed open reduction and internal fixation, and (III) eight patients undergoing open reductions and primary fusion for highly comminuted fractures. In each scenario, internal fixation was achieved with cancellous lag screws. Bone graft material consisted of either autogenous iliac crest graft, local graft obtained from the lateral wall exostectomy of the malunion, or freeze-dried cancellous allograft. Fusions in Groups II and III were performed in situ. Fusions in Group I were performed either in situ or utilizing a variety of reconstructive procedures depending upon the type of malunion encountered. Eighty three of the 86 fusion attempts were successful following the initial operations for a union rate of 96%. Fusion rates were similar regardless of the graft material used. Complications included four varus malunions, four cases of osteomyelitis, and two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A statistically significant shorter hospital stay was found for patients not undergoing iliac crest bone graft procedures. Eighty patients with at least two year follow up achieved a mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score of 75.0. Scores were similar for all three groups and for the various types of reconstructive procedures used. No correlation was found between postoperative talar declination angle and the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score. Worker's compensation patients tended to have a poorer clinical outcome.

The open reduction and internal fixation using our standardized protocol is an effective method of treatment for intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

Based on the available data, the rate of radiographic union, time to full weightbearing, and outcomes scores between the Augment™ and ABG subjects appear comparable. Augment™ may represent a safe and efficacious treatment alternative to ABG during foot and ankle arthrodesis.

Heel lifts are commonly prescribed to patients with Achilles tendinopathy, yet little is known about the effect on tendon compressive strain. The purposes of the current study were to 1) develop a valid and reliable ultrasound elastography technique and algorithm to measure compressive strain of human Achilles tendon in vivo, 2) examine the effects of ankle dorsiflexion (lowering via controlled removal of a heel lift and partial squat) on compressive strain of the Achilles tendon insertion, and 3) examine the relative compressive strain between the deep and superficial regions of the Achilles tendon insertion. All tasks started in a position equivalent to standing with a 30 mm heel lift. An ultrasound transducer positioned over the Achilles tendon insertion was used to capture radiofrequency images. A non-rigid image registration-based algorithm was used to estimate compressive strain of the tendon, which was divided into 2 regions (superficial, deep). The bland-Altman test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to test validity and reliability. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare compressive strain between regions and across tasks. Compressive strain was accurately and reliably (ICC >0.75) quantified. There was greater compressive strain during the combined task of lowering & partial squat compared to the lowering (P=.001) and partial squat (P<.001) tasks separately. There was greater compressive strain in the deep region of the tendon compared to the superficial for all tasks (P=.001). While these findings need to be examined in a pathological population, heel lifts may reduce tendon compressive strain during daily activities.

Background-Tibialis posterior muscle weakness has been documented in subjects with Stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) but the effect of weakness on foot structure remains unclear. The association between strength and flatfoot kinematics may guide treatment such as the use of strengthening programs targeting the tibialis posterior muscle.

Level I, prospective randomized study.