Advances in the design of the components for total ankle replacement have led to a resurgence of interest in this procedure. Between January 1999 and December 2004, 16 patients with a failed total ankle replacement were referred to our unit. In the presence of infection, a two-stage salvage procedure was planned. The first involved the removal of the components and the insertion of a cement spacer. Definitive treatment options included hindfoot fusion with a circular frame or amputation. When there was no infection, a one-stage salvage procedure was planned. Options included hindfoot fusion with an intramedullary nail or revision total ankle replacement. When there was suspicion of infection, a percutaneous biopsy was performed. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. Of the 16 patients, 14 had aseptic loosening, five of whom underwent a revision total ankle replacement and nine a hindfoot fusion. Of the two with infection, one underwent fusion and the other a below-knee amputation. There were no cases of wound breakdown, nonunion or malunion. Management of the failed total ankle replacement should be performed by experienced surgeons and ideally in units where multidisciplinary support is available. Currently, a hindfoot fusion appears to be preferable to a revision total ankle replacement.

INTRODUCTIONIn this article we look at the aetiology of plantar fasciitis, the other common differentials for heel pain and the evidence available to support each of the major management options. We also review the literature and discuss the condition.METHODSA literature search was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE®. The following keywords were used, singly or in combination: ‘plantar fasciitis’, ‘plantar heel pain’, ‘heel spur’. To maximise the search, backward chaining of reference lists from retrieved papers was also undertaken.FINDINGSPlantar fasciitis is a common and often disabling condition. Because the natural history of plantar fasciitis is not understood, it is difficult to distinguish between those patients who recover spontaneously and those who respond to formal treatment. Surgical release of the plantar fascia is effective in the small proportion of patients who do not respond to conservative measures. New techniques such as endoscopic plantar release and extracorporeal shockwave therapy may have a role but the limited availability of equipment and skills means that most patients will continue to be treated by more traditional techniques.

A comprehensive review of the literature relating to the pathology and management of the diabetic foot is presented. This should provide a guide for the treatment of ulcers, Charcot neuro-arthropathy and fractures involving the foot and ankle in diabetic patients.

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow is a common condition that presents with pain and tenderness around the common extensor origin of the elbow.Tennis elbow is estimated to affect 1-3% of the adult population each year and is more common in the dominant arm. It is generally regarded as an overuse injury involving repeated wrist extension against resistance, although it can occur as an acute injury (trauma to the lateral elbow). Up to 50% of all tennis players develop symptoms due to various factors including poor swing technique the use of heavy racquet. It's also seen in labourers who utilise heavy tools or engage in repetitive gripping or lifting task.In this article, we discuss the existing literature in the field and the current thinking on optimum treatment modalities. We have reviewed the literature available on med line and have discussed the condition with our specialist colleagues in the field.

BackgroundComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a heterogenous and poorly understood condition that can be provoked by quite minor injuries. The symptoms and signs of CRPS persist, long after the patient has recovered from the inciting event. In some cases, there is a clear association with a peripheral nerve injury. The degree of disability produced by CRPS is often out of proportion to the scale of the original insult and the condition is associated with protracted recovery times and frequent litigation.MethodsWe have performed a PubMed literature search, referenced landmark papers in the field and included a national expert in peripheral nerve injury and repair in our team of authors.Results and ConclusionsThe diagnostic criteria for CRPS have changed repeatedly over the last two centuries and much of the historical literature is difficult to compare with more recent research. In this review article, we consider how our understanding of the condition has evolved and discuss its pathogenesis, its apparent heterogenicity and the various investigations and treatments available to the clinician.

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