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Question 1601

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

Figures 11a and 11b show the clinical photograph and radiograph of a newborn. Based on these findings, what is the best course of action?

. Genetic testing
. Stretching exercises performed by the parents
. A series of corrective plaster casts
. A long leg orthosis to control the foot and leg
. Surgical lengthening of the anterior tibial tendon and a short leg cast

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Genetic testing


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The newborn has posteromedial bowing of the tibia and calcaneal valgus deformity of the foot.  Both are thought to be caused by abnormal intrauterine positioning.  The foot deformity typically responds to stretching.  The tibial bowing straightens with growth.  The long-term problem is limb-length discrepancy.REFERENCES: Heyman CH, Herndon CH, Heiple KG: Congenital posterior angulation of the tibia with talipes calcaneus.  J Bone Joint Surg Am 1959;41:476-488.Hofmann A, Wenger DR:  Posteromedial bowing of the tibia: Progression of discrepancy in leg lengths.  J Bone Joint Surg Am 1981;63:384-388.

Question 1602

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 10-year-old girl is treated for a tibia/fibula fracture with a long leg cast. The on-call resident is called to evaluate the patient for increasing pain medicine requirements and tingling in her foot. Examination of the cast reveals that the ankle has been immobilized in 10 degrees of dorsiflexion. What ankle position results in the safest compartment pressures in a casted lower leg?

. 50 degrees of plantar flexion
. 20 degrees of ankle dorsiflexion
. Neutral to 30 degrees of plantar flexion
. Neutral to 10 degrees of dorsiflexion
. Ankle position has no effect on calf compartment pressure

Correct Answer & Explanation

. 50 degrees of plantar flexion


Explanation

DISCUSSION: Agitation, anxiety, and increasing analgesic requirments are the "3 A's" of pediatric compartment syndrome.Weiner et al measured intramuscular compartment pressure in the anterior and deep posterior compartments of the leg in seven healthy adults who had long leg casts placed. They found that in a casted leg the intramuscular pressure in the anterior compartment was lowest with the ankle in neutral, and the deep posterior compartments was lowest when the ankle joint was in the resting position to approximately 37 degrees of plantar flexion. Based on this, they concluded that the safest ankle casting position regarding compartment pressure is between 0 and 37 degrees of plantar flexion. After the cast was bivalved, they noted a significant decrease in intramuscular pressure of 47 per cent in the anterior compartment and of 33 per cent in the deep posterior compartment. Constrictive casts and abberant ankle positioning can exacerbate pain/symptoms. Loosening of the cast by bivalving, spreading, and cutting underlying stockinette/softroll should always be the first step in management of possible compartment syndrome.

Question 1603

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 77-year-old man with diabetes mellitus has had a nonhealing Wagner grade I ulcer under the medial sesamoid for the past 3 months. He smokes tobacco regularly. He has undergone several debridements and total contact casting. Examination reveals no palpable pulses. He has no erythema or purulence, and he is afebrile. Radiographs reveal no abnormalities. What is the best initial diagnostic test to help determine why the ulcer has failed to heal?

. 07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament
. Bone scan
. Thompson’s test
. CT
. Noninvasive vascular studies

Correct Answer & Explanation

. 07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The best initial test for this patient is to assess the vascular supply to the foot.  An elderly smoker with diabetes mellitus has a high risk of peripheral vascular disease.  Decreased weight bearing has not been successful.  Although a bone scan might be helpful, it would take secondary consideration to the patient’s vascular supply, especially in the absence of any acute infection.  Monofilament testing would help diagnosis neuropathy, which is a root cause behind the ulcer forming, but does not prevent it from healing. The Thompson’s test is used to diagnosis an Achilles tendon rupture.REFERENCE: Brodsky JW: Evaluation of the diabetic foot.  Instr Course Lect 1999;48:289-303.

Question 1604

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 45-year-old man has persistent hindfoot pain that is aggravated by weight-bearing activities. History reveals that he sustained a calcaneus fracture 2 years ago, and he underwent a subtalar fusion 1 year ago. Examination reveals tenderness in the sinus tarsi and across the transverse tarsal joint. A plain radiograph and a CT scan are shown in Figures 24a and 24b. A technetium Tc 99m bone scan reveals uptake at the subtalar joint and at the transverse tarsal joints. Management should now consist of

. casting with an external bone stimulator.
. ankle arthrodesis.
. revision subtalar arthrodesis.
. conversion to triple arthrodesis without revision of the subtalar arthrodesis.
. conversion to triple arthrodesis with revision of the subtalar arthrodesis.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. casting with an external bone stimulator.


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The patient has a nonunion at the subtalar joint because of poor preparation of the arthrodesis site with incomplete removal of the articular cartilage.  Clinically, he has arthritis at the transverse tarsal joint.  Casting with a bone stimulator is not expected to result in a union of the subtalar arthrodesis.  To address both the subtalar nonunion and the transverse tarsal joint arthritis, revision of the subtalar arthrodesis and conversion to a triple arthrodesis is the preferred option.REFERENCES: Graves SC, Mann RA, Graves KO: Triple arthrodesis in older adults: Results after long-term follow-up.  J Bone Joint Surg Am 1993;75:355-362.Haddad SL, Myerson MS, Pell RF IV, Schon LC: Clinical and radiographic outcome of revision surgery for failed triple arthrodesis.  Foot Ankle Int 1997;18:489-499.Sangeorzan BJ, Smith D, Veith R, Hansen ST Jr: Triple arthrodesis using internal fixation in treatment of adult foot disorders.  Clin Orthop 1993;294:299-307.Sangeorzan BJ: Salvage procedures for calcaneus fractures.  Instr Course Lect 1997;46:339-346.Wapner KL: Triple arthrodesis in adults.  J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1998;6:188-196.

Question 1605

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle
  • A patient sustained a joint depression-type fracture of the calcaneus that healed despite lack of treatment. The loss of dorsiflexion the patient is now experiencing is most likely the result of
. widening and shortening of the heel.
. weakness of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex.
. anterior impingement from a horizontal talus.
. unrecognized compartment syndrome of the foot.
. degenerative arthritis of the tibiotalar joint.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. widening and shortening of the heel.


Explanation

Closed treatment is geared toward padding the heel externally. The horizontal talus may abut the tibia anteriorly. This is caused by a joint depression type fracture. The primary fracture line begins in the sinus tarsi and propagates obliquely across the posterior facet to the medial wall. The posterior facet is no longer under the talus and the talus settles into a position parallel to the ground. When the talus is parallel to the floor, it is often fully dorsiflexed, even with the foot in neutral position. The changes in the subtalar joint also affects the transverse tarsal joint. Because of the relative positions of the calcaneus at the cuboid (neutral) and the talus at the navicular (dorsiflexed) are different, this has the net effect of locking the transverse tarsal joint.

Question 1606

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

Figure 51 shows the standing AP radiograph of a 56-year old woman who has multiple toe deformities and pain beneath the metatarsal heads. Shoe modification has failed to provide relief. In addition to correction of the proximal interphalangeal joint deformities, surgical treatment should consist of

. resection of the metatarsal heads of the first through fifth toes.
. Silastic MP joint arthroplasties of the first through fifth toes.
. fusion of the hallux MP joint and resection arthroplasty of the 2ndthrough fifth metatarsal heads.
. fusion of hallux MP joint and distal osteotomy of the 2ndthrough 5thMT.
. plantar condylectomy of the 2ndthrough 5thMT heads & resection of proximal phx of the hallux.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. resection of the metatarsal heads of the first through fifth toes.


Explanation

Surgical correction of severe rheumatoid forefoot deformities with resection arthroplasties of the lesser metatarsal phalangeal joints and arthrodesis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint resulted in a significant long-term improvement with respect to shoe wear, pain and the ability to stand and walk in 95% of the patients. There was minimal recurrence of the deformity. Previous procedures attempt to correct the lesser MTP joint deformities and a resection-type arthroplasty procedure to the 1st MTP joint. Recurrent symptomatic deformities were found in the latter.A modification was then used that maintained the proximal phalangeal bases and used K-wires to fixate the MTP arthroplasty and IP joints which resulted in improved cosmetic result and simplified post-op management. Equal results were seen w/ no increase in recurrence or complications.

Question 1607

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 30-year-old man has had a slowly enlarging mass on the plantar medial aspect of the foot for the past 6 months. The mass is now 1 cm in diameter, adherent to the plantar fascia, and painful with weightbearing. The overlying skin is mobile. Management at this time should consist of

. low-dose radiation
. steroid injection
. a load-relieving insert and shoe modification
. complete excision of the mass and the entire plantar fascia
. wide excision of the mass with a 2 cm margin of normal fascia

Correct Answer & Explanation

. low-dose radiation


Explanation

The only reason to treat plantar fibromatosis is to relieve the associated symptoms that often result from local extension and invasion. An indolent lesion can invade the neurovascular structures, necessitating operative intervention. Non-operative treatment begins with the construction of a well molded, padded shoe and an orthosis.

Question 1608

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 20-year-old woman has lateral foot and ankle pain after sustaining an inversion injury of the ankle while playing soccer 3 months ago. Activity modifications and physical therapy have failed to provide relief. She describes burning pain that extends from the anterior aspect of the ankle to the foot and lateral two toes. The pain is often worse at night. Plain radiographs, a bone scan, and an MRI scan are normal. Stress examination reveals no instability. What is the most likely diagnosis?

. Occult traumatic osteochondral lesion of the lateral talar dome
. Neurapraxia of the intermediate branch of the superficial peroneal nerve
. Incompetence of the superior peroneal retinaculum with peroneal subluxation
. Meniscoid lesion of the anterior talofibular ligament
. Syndesmotic injury (high ankle sprain)

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Occult traumatic osteochondral lesion of the lateral talar dome


Explanation

DISCUSSION: Persistent pain following an ankle sprain can present a diagnostic dilemma.  All of the injuries listed should be considered in the differential diagnosis.  The superficial peroneal nerve courses in the lateral compartment and exits the crural fascia 12 to 15 cm above the level of the ankle.  Muscle herniation through the fascial defect has been reported to be associated with entrapment of this nerve.  The fascial hiatus also may serve as a potential tether in cases of inversion injuries causing injury to the superficial peroneal nerve.REFERENCES: Mizel MS, Miller RA, Scioli MW (eds): Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: Foot and Ankle 2.  Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 1998, pp 101-111.Baumhauer JF: Superficial peroneal nerve entrapment.  Foot Ankle Clin 1998;3:439-446.

Question 1609

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 32-year-old man who sustained a tarsometatarsal (Lisfranc) injury 3 years ago now reports increasing pain in the left foot. Orthotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and injections have provided only temporary relief. Examination reveals swelling and tenderness over the tarsometatarsal joints. Radiographs show advanced arthrosis of the first and second tarsometatarsal joints. Management should now include

. midfoot arthrodesis.
. a rocker sole shoe with orthotic inserts.
. shock wave or orthotripsy.
. an ankle-foot orthosis.
. triple arthrodesis.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. midfoot arthrodesis.


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The patient has advanced arthrosis of the midfoot, and orthotic management has failed to provide relief.  Therefore, the treatment of choice is midfoot arthrodesis.  Shock wave treatment has not been shown to be beneficial for arthritis.  An ankle-foot orthosis would not be appropriate based on findings of a normal ankle joint.  Triple arthrodesis would not be helpful because the hindfoot joint is not affected in a Lisfranc injury.REFERENCES: Sangeorzan BJ, Veith GR, Hansen ST Jr: Salvage of Lisfranc’s tarsometatarsal joints by arthrodesis.  Foot Ankle 1990;10:193-200.KomendaGA, Myerson MS, Biddinger KR: Results of arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joints after traumatic injury.  J Bone Joint Surg Am 1996;78:1665-1676.

Question 1610

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 45-year-old man is seen in the emergency department after returning from a 2-hour airplane flight. He is reporting severe pain in his right leg but has no trouble moving his ankle, leg, or knee. Venous doppler testing reveals no evidence of deep venous thrombosis. He is placed on IV cephazolin but continues to worsen. On the third day in the hospital he has increased pain, some respiratory distress, and trouble maintaining his blood pressure. His leg takes on the appearance seen in Figure 15. An urgent MRI scan shows thickening of the subcutaneous tissues and superficial swelling in the leg but no evidence of an abscess. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

. Triple antibiotic coverage
. Transfer to the ICU and a consult with infectious disease
. Urgent irrigation and debridement with gentle skin closure
. Urgent hyperbaric oxygen treatments and immunoglobulin
. Urgent aggressive debridement of skin, subcutaneous fat, and fascia

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Triple antibiotic coverage


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The patient has necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and sometimes fatal disease that has many different etiologies.  Signs that this is not a normal infection are the worsening clinical symptoms despite IV antibiotics and the systemic symptoms.  He needs urgent surgical care before he becomes completely septic and unstable.  He needs very aggressive debridement of his tissues.  Hyperbaric oxygen and immunoglobulins are only anecdotally helpful, and would only be usedafter surgery.REFERENCES: Fontes RA, Ogilvie CM, Miclau T: Necrotizing soft-tissue infections.  J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000;8:151-158.Ozalay M, Ozkoc G, Akpinar S, et al: Necrotizing soft-tissue infection of a limb: Clinical presentation and factors related to mortality.  Foot Ankle Int 2006;27:598-605.

Question 1611

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A B

. in her first interspace and an inability to dorsiflex her toes.
. over her lateral forefoot and an inability to evert her foot.
. over her medial forefoot and an inability to invert her foot.
. over her lateral forefoot and an inability to plantar flex her first metatarsal.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. in her first interspace and an inability to dorsiflex her toes.


Explanation

DISCUSSIONThe radiographs reveal a tibial pilon fracture with an extruded and rotated anterior tibial fragment that lies deep to the anterior compartment neurovascular bundle, which contains the deep peroneal nerve. This nerve innervates the anterior compartment muscles and the extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis muscles and provides sensation to the dorsal aspect of the first interspace. An injury to the deep peroneal nerve at this level will only affect the innervation to the extensor digitorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis muscles and the innervation of the first interspace. The superficial peroneal nerve innervatesthe lateral compartment muscles above the level of this injury and innervates the dorsum of the foot. The medial forefoot is innervated by the saphenous nerve and the posterior tibial nerve innervates the posterior compartment muscles above the level of the injury. The sural nerve innervates the lateral foot and has no motor component, and the superficial peroneal nerve innervates the peroneus longus, which plantar flexes the first metatarsal above the level of the injury.RECOMMENDED READINGSAgur AM, Dalley AF, eds. Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:362-370.Hoppenfeld S, de Boer P, Buckley R, eds. Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics: The Anatomic Approach. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:625-673.

Question 1612

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 45-year-old man is seen in the emergency department after returning from a 2-hour airplane flight. He is reporting severe pain in his right leg but has no trouble moving his ankle, leg, or knee. Venous doppler testing reveals no evidence of deep venous thrombosis. He is placed on IV cephazolin but continues to worsen. On the third day in the hospital he has increased pain, some respiratory distress, and trouble maintaining his blood pressure. His leg takes on the appearance seen in Figure 15. An urgent MRI scan shows thickening of the subcutaneous tissues and superficial swelling in the leg but no evidence of an abscess. What is the next most appropriate step in management? Review Topic

. Triple antibiotic coverage
. Transfer to the ICU and a consult with infectious disease
. Urgent irrigation and debridement with gentle skin closure
. Urgent hyperbaric oxygen treatments and immunoglobulin
. Urgent aggressive debridement of skin, subcutaneous fat, and fascia

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Triple antibiotic coverage


Explanation

The patient has necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and sometimes fatal disease that has many different etiologies. Signs that this is not a normal infection are the worsening clinical symptoms despite IV antibiotics and the systemic symptoms. He needs urgent surgical care before he becomes completely septic and unstable. He needs very aggressive debridement of his tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen and immunoglobulins are only anecdotally helpful, and would only be used after surgery.

Question 1613

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

Figures 47a and 47b show the CT scans of a patient who reports persistent pain in the sinus tarsi following a fall. The avulsion fracture fragment remains attached to what ligament?

. Bifurcate
. Spring
. Plantar fascia
. Lisfranc
. Interosseous

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Bifurcate


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The bifurcate ligament bifurcates to connect the dorsal aspect of the anterior process of the calcaneus to both the cuboid and the navicular.  Inversion injuries on the side of the foot can result in avulsion fractures (arrow) of the anterior process of the calcaneus.REFERENCES: Sarrafian SK: Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle: Descriptive, Topographic, Functional, ed 2.  New York, NY, Lippincott, 1993, p 192.Robbins MI, Wilson MG, Sella EJ: MR imaging of anterosuperior calcaneal process fractures.  Am J Roentgenol 1999;172:475-479.

Question 1614

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 20-year-old elite college football player has ecchymosis, swelling, and pain on the lateral side of his foot after a game. Radiographs are shown in Figures 31a through 31c. Management should consist of

. open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screws.
. open treatment with calcaneal bone graft.
. percutaneous screw fixation with a 4.5-mm screw.
. weight-bearing cast for 8 weeks.
. spanning external fixation.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screws.


Explanation

DISCUSSION: Metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fractures of the fifth metatarsal require careful evaluation.  In athletes, early intervention with a 4.5-mm intramedullary screw correlates with an earlier return to activity.  One study examining the failure of surgically managed Jones fractures revealed that use of anything other than a 4.5-mm malleolar screw for internal fixation correlated with failure.REFERENCES: Glasgow MT, Naranja RJ Jr, Glasgow SG, et al: Analysis of failed surgical management of fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal distal to the tuberosity: The Jones fracture.  Foot Ankle Int 1996;17:449-457.Mizel MS, Miller RA, Scioli MW (eds): Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: Foot and Ankle 2.  Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 1998, pp 243-252.

Question 1615

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

Figure 20 shows the clinical photograph of a man who has had diabetes mellitus controlled with oral medication for the past 10 years. He wears soft-soled shoes and only uses leather-soled shoes for important business meetings. Examination reveals palpable dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses, although they are somewhat diminished. He is insensate to pressure with the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 monofilament. The ulcer heals after treatment with a full contact cast. What is the best course of action at this time?

. Referral to his primary care physician
. Foot-specific patient education, depth-inlay shoes, custom accommodative foot orthoses, and follow-up observation
. Dorsiflexion osteotomy of the first and third metatarsals
. Excision of the second and third metatarsal heads
. Achilles tendon lengthening and dorsiflexion osteotomy of the first and third metatarsals

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Referral to his primary care physician


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The patient has not undergone a trial of foot-specific patient education and accommodative/therapeutic shoe wear.  He must use therapeutic shoe wear at all times, as even the occasional use of pressure-concentrating shoe wear has a high likelihood of leading to the development of a diabetic foot ulcer.REFERENCES: Pinzur MS, Kernan-Schroeder D, Emmanuele NV, et al: Development of a nurse-provided health system strategy for diabetic foot care.  Foot Ank Int 2001;22:744-746.Pinzur MS, Shields N, Goelitz B, et al: American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society shoe survey of diabetic patients.  Foot & Ankle Int 1999;20:703-707.Reiber GE, Smith DG, Wallace CM, et al: Effect of therapeutic footwear on foot reulceration in patients with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.  JAMA 2002;287:2552-2558.

Question 1616

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

Varus malalignment after a talar neck fracture with medial comminution causes a decrease in what motion?

. Tibiotalar dorsiflexion
. Tibiotalar plantarflexion
. Subtalar eversion
. Subtalar inversion
. Internal rotation

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Tibiotalar dorsiflexion


Explanation

DISCUSSION: Varus alignment at the talar neck results in a decrease in subtalar eversion before impingement occurs. Varus talar neck alignment can cause a fixed internal rotation position of the midfoot as the navicular follows the talar head. This can lead to a more rigid hindfoot which is specifically manifested as a decreased eversion range of motion.Herscovici et al review the appropriate management of complex ankle and hindfoot injuries in this instructional course lecture.Daniels et al performed a cadaveric study where they osteotomized the talar neck and then studied ankle motion with and without removal of a medially based wedge of bone. They found that subtalar eversion was specifically decreased.Sanders et al found that secondary reconstructive procedures following talar neck fractures were most commonly performed to treat subtalar arthritis or misalignment.

Question 1617

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

What is the most frequent complication of percutaneous repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture?

. Sural nerve entrapment
. Re-rupture
. Infection
. Suture granuloma
. Wound healing complications

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Sural nerve entrapment


Explanation

DISCUSSION: Sural nerve entrapment is the major risk of percutaneous repair.  A small mini-open technique with a suture guide can obviate that issue.  Re-rupture rates after surgical repair are approximately 3%.  Infection and wound problems are rarely encountered with percutaneous repair; they are issues with open repair.REFERENCES: Aracil J, Pina A, Lozano JA, et al: Percutaneous suture of Achilles tendon ruptures.  Foot Ankle 1992;13:350-351.Sutherland A, Maffulli N: A modified technique of percutaneous repair of the ruptured Achilles tendon.  Oper Orthop Traumatol 1998;10:50-58.Assal M, Jung M, Stern R, et al: Limited open repair of Achilles tendon ruptures: A technique with a new instrument and findings of a prospective multicenter study.  J Bone Joint Surg Am2002;84:161-170.

Question 1618

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 28-year-old man has had a 2-year history of progressive lateral ankle pain. History reveals that he underwent a triple arthrodesis at age 13 for a tarsal coalition. The pain has been refractory to braces, custom inserts, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Weight-bearing radiographs of the ankle and foot are shown in Figures 3a through 3d. Surgical management should include which of the following?

. Ankle arthroscopy and lateral ligament reconstruction
. Tendon transfer, lateral column lengthening, and heel cord lengthening
. Ankle arthrodesis with retrograde intramedullary nail fixation
. Calcaneal osteotomy and transverse tarsal osteotomy
. Total ankle arthroplasty and deltoid ligament reefing

Correct Answer & Explanation

. Calcaneal osteotomy and transverse tarsal osteotomy


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The patient has a valgus-supination triple arthrodesis malunion.  Weight-bearing radiographs show excessive residual valgus through the subtalar joint, producing lateral subfibular impingement, and residual forefoot abduction and midfoot supination through the talonavicular joint, lateralizing the weight-bearing forces through the foot.  The deformity is best managed with a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy and transverse tarsal derotational osteotomy.  Ankle arthroscopy and lateral ligament reconstruction are indicated in the event of ligament instability.  Tendon transfer, lateral column lengthening, and heel cord lengthening are used for treatment of adult flatfoot from posterior tibial tendon insufficiency.  Ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty are not indicated in this patient because the lateral ankle symptoms are the result of the underlying deformity in the hindfoot, the patient is young, and the ankle joint is relatively normal.REFERENCES: Haddad SL, Myerson MS, Pell RF IV: Clinical and radiographic outcome of revision surgery for failed triple arthrodesis.  Foot Ankle Int 1997;18:489-499.Mäenpää H, Lehto MU, Belt EA: What went wrong in triple arthrodesis?  An analysis of failures in 21 patients.  Clin Orthop Relat Res 2001;391:218-223.

Question 1619

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

The first branch of the lateral plantar nerve innervates the

. interossei.
. quadratus plantae.
. flexor digitorum brevis.
. abductor hallucis brevis.
. abductor digiti quinti.

Correct Answer & Explanation

. abductor digiti quinti.


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The first branch of the lateral plantar nerve innervates the abductor digiti quinti, and more distal branches of the lateral plantar nerve supply the quadratus plantae and the interossei.  The medial plantar nerve supplies the abductor hallucis brevis and the flexor digitorum brevis.REFERENCES: Pansky B, House EH: Review of Gross Anatomy, ed 3.  New York, NY, Macmillan, 1975, pp 464-476.SarrafianSK: Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle.  Philadelphia, PA, JB Lippincott, 1983,pp 325-328.

Question 1620

Topic: 8. Foot and Ankle

A 35-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus has been treated for the past 2 years at a wound care center for persistent bilateral fifth metatarsal head ulcers. Management has consisted of shoe wear modifications, treatment with multiple enzymatic ointments, and a fifth metatarsal head resection on the left side. Physical examination reveals intact pulses, minimal ankle dorsiflexion, neutral hindfoot, and a persistent ulcer under the fifth metatarsal heads. What treatment will best help heal the ulcers?

. Plastizote orthotics with a metatarsal pad and a cutout under the fifth metatarsal head
. Hyperbaric oxygen and prolonged non-weight-bearing
. A healing shoe that completely alleviates any weight bearing on the forefoot
. A gastrocnemius release and supportive wound care
. A transmetatarsal amputation

Correct Answer & Explanation

. A gastrocnemius release and supportive wound care


Explanation

DISCUSSION: The patient likely has a significant Achilles contracture that causes her to always bear more weight on her forefoot.  A gastrocnemius recession takes the ankle out of plantar flexion and she will be able to return to a normal gait and reduce the pressures on her forefoot.  A forefoot amputation is a salvage option.  The other choices are appropriate; however, the patient has had this problem for 2 years and she has already had multiple attempts at shoe wear modification.REFERENCES: Laughlin RT, Calhoun JH, Mader JT: The diabetic foot.  J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1995;3:218-225.Aronow MS, Diaz-Doran V, Sullivan RJ, et al: The effect of triceps surae contracture force on plantar foot pressure distribution.  Foot Ankle Int 2006;27:43-52.