Glomus tumors are rare, benign neoplasms arising from components of the glomus apparatus. They are uncommon in the foot, often leading to misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis. This can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life and may result in incorrect surgical procedures being performed. Correct recognition leads to timeous diagnosis and marginal excision, which is curative. A glomus tumor should be considered in patients with no obvious cause for localized, severe foot pain. We report two different presentations of a glomus tumor in the foot. Level of Evidence V; Therapeutic Studies; Expert Opinion.
Background: Posterior malleolus fractures are associated with poorer functional outcomes compared to simpler malleolar fractures. Traditional teaching states that if a posterior malleolus fracture involves less than 25% of the distal tibia, it can be managed without fixation. Current literature has shown that fixation should not be based on the size of the posterior fragment but rather on the fracture pattern, instability and awareness that reduction and fixation is biomechanically advantageous. We hypothesised that current management of ankle fractures with posterior malleolus involvement in South Africa is not evidence-based and is suboptimal. We sought to assess the training, experience and decision-making of surgeons and trainees who are involved in the management of ankle fractures. Another aim was to develop evidence-based algorithms for the management of posterior malleolus and complex ankle fractures. Methods: An email survey consisting of questions related to the management of ankle fractures was sent to specialists, registrars and medical officers who voluntarily completed an online survey. Results: A total of 103 out of 456 emails sent drew responses to the survey. Responses included 28% from consultants, 54% from registrars and 18% from medical officers. Forty-six per cent of responders believed that posterior malleolus fractures can be managed non-operatively if less than 20% of the tibial plafond is involved. Only 49% would CT scan a posterior malleolus prior to operating. Thirty-eight per cent of the responders were not familiar or comfortable with the posterior-lateral approach used for fixation of the posterior malleolus directly. Conclusion: Understanding of ankle fractures has progressed. A significant proportion of responders to the survey are not following best practice and current literature. Posterior malleolus fractures are not benign and have poorer outcomes compared to bi-malleolar or lateral malleolus ankle fractures. All patients with posterior malleolus fractures should receive pre-operative CT scan. All posterior malleolar fractures that can be held with a plate or screws should be fixed.
Objective: This study aimed to determine damage/change occurring in the posterior tibial tendon of patients undergoing surgery for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) and to correlate preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings with histology to determine the most appropriate investigations for diagnosis. The secondary aim was to clarify terminology used in describing the tendon pathology, to improve descriptive terminology for research, assessment, and treatment of PTTD. Methods: The records of patients who had undergone surgery for stage 2 PTTD were retrospectively reviewed. Cases in which preoperative diagnostic imaging was done and a posterior tibial tendon specimen was sent for histology were included. Ultrasound (US) and MRI findings, surgical notes and histopathological reports were evaluated. Results: Nineteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen had US showing degenerative changes and synovitis. Five had MRI showing tendon degeneration, with rupture in two cases. Intraoperatively, all tendons showed gross abnormality, with surrounding synovitis. Microscopically, no acute inflammation was noted within any tendon specimens. All had non-specific reactive changes within the visceral synovium. Conclusion: This study confirms clear histological degeneration within the posterior tibial tendon of patients undergoing corrective surgery for PTTD. Preoperative imaging and surgical findings identified tendon sheath synovitis. Pre-operative ultrasound imaging and intraoperative confirmation of PTTD is accurate; thus, histological confirmation is unnecessary. The pathological changes in PTTD have been described as a tendinopathy in the literature. We suggest using the term pantendinopathy, which is a combination of peritendinitis with tendinosis, as it better describes the pathological process. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Case Series
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