Summary Report of the Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society’s Symposium on Targets for Osteoarthritis Research: Part 1: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Current Imaging Approaches

Abstract

This first of a 2-part series of articles recounts the key points presented in a collaborative symposium sponsored jointly by the Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society with the intent to survey the state of scientific knowledge related to incidence, diagnosis, pathologic mechanisms, and injection treatment options for osteoarthritis (OA) of the foot and ankle. A meeting was held virtually on December 3, 2021. A group of experts were invited to present brief synopses of the current state of knowledge and research in this area. Part 1 overviews areas of epidemiology and pathophysiology, current approaches in imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic injections, and genetics. Opportunities for future research are discussed. The OA scientific community, including funding agencies, academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, must recognize the needs of patients that suffer from arthritis of foot and ankle. The foot and ankle contain a myriad of interrelated joints and tissues that together provide a critical functionality. When this functionality is compromised by OA, significant disability results, yet the foot and ankle are generally understudied by the research community. Level of Evidence: Level V - Review Article/Expert Opinion.

Osteoarthritis of “atypical” localization: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, principles of therapy

“…Суставы стоп испытывают значительную нагрузку, которая может приводить к травматизации с последующим возникновением воспалительных и дегенеративных изменений. Поэтому развитие ОА суставов стоп вполне закономерно, и в серии эпидемиологических исследований было показано, что по частоте он уступает лишь ОА коленного сустава и суставов кистей [9,34].…”

“…Однако воспалительные и дегенеративные процессы, лежащие в основе патогенеза ОА, могут развиваться во всех суставах человеческого организма, особенно когда пусковым моментом для их возникновения является травма или интенсивная повторяющаяся нагрузка. К сожалению, ОА «нетипичных» суставов относительно редко обсуждается в отечественной медицинской литературе, несмотря на то, что данная патология широко распространена и представляет серьезную клиническую проблему [7][8][9].…”

Hindfoot Pathologies

“…Subtalar arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the subtalar joint, which is a small joint located between the talus (ankle bone) and the calcaneus (heel bone). This joint is responsible for allowing the foot to move and rotate, and it plays an important role in the normal function of the foot and ankle [28].…”

“…It is important to seek medical treatment for subtalar arthritis to prevent the condition from worsening and to maintain good function of the foot and ankle. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage to the joint [28,29].…”

Diabetes Mellitus and Total Ankle Arthroplasty Complications

“…Ankle arthritis affects approximately 1% of adults, most commonly the sequelae of prior trauma. 8,15,18 Although arthrodesis was previously considered the gold standard for end-stage ankle arthritis, improvements in material and design have made total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) a viable option for many patients, with broader indications leading to a 1000% increase in TAA volume from 1991 to 2010 in the literature. 16 TAA provides patients with the advantages of maintaining mobility of the ankle joint and decreased rates of radiographically evident adjacent joint degeneration.…”