Aims. Gastrocnemius tightness predisposes to musculoskeletal pathology and may require surgical treatment. However, it is not clear what proportion of patients with foot and ankle pathology have clinically significant gastrocnemius tightness. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and degree of gastrocnemius tightness in a control group of patients with a group of patients with foot and ankle pathology. Patients and Methods. This prospective, case-matched, observational study compared gastrocnemius tightness, as assessed by the lunge test, in a control group and a group with foot and ankle pathology. Gastrocnemius tightness was calculated as the difference in dorsiflexion of the ankle with the knee extended and flexed. Results. A total of 291 controls were paired with 97 patients with foot and ankle pathology (FAP). The mean gastrocnemius tightness was 6.0° (. sd. 3.5) in controls and 8.0° (. sd. 5.7) in the FAP group (p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed a mean gastrocnemius tightness of 10.3° (. sd.  6.0) in patients with forefoot pathology versus 6.9° (. sd. 5.3) in patients with other pathology (p = 0.008). A total of 12 patients (37.5%) with forefoot pathology had gastrocnemius tightness of > two standard deviations of the control group (> 13°). Conclusion. Gastrocnemius tightness of > 13° may be considered abnormal. Most patients with foot and ankle pathology do not have abnormal degrees of gastrocnemius tightness compared with controls, but it is present in over a third of patients with forefoot pathology. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:945–52

I consider the term ‘minimally invasive surgery’ (MIS) to represent a wide range of techniques directed at achieving a surgical objective with less collateral tissue damage. The surgeon choosing to employ such techniques may aspire to achieve improved or more consistent outcome for their patients but is this so? What are the complications? In certain areas of surgery the concept of MIS is well established (e.g. knee and ankle arthroscopy). In forefoot surgery the concept has been met with interest but also skepticism. Much of this skepticism pivots around concerns that the loss of direct vision (maintained in arthroscopic techniques) may increase the risk of complications. In other words, there is a concern that due to the loss of direct visualization (replaced by intra-operative xray imaging), any benefit that might arise from the less invasive technique of the operation will be negated by either poorer quality of surgical correction or higher risk of injury to adjacent structures. All surgery is associated with a degree of risk and in considering the complications specifically associated with MIS of the forefoot we must try to separate out those complications related to the specific MIS technique involved and those that are not. In other words, we need to identify whether the complication has occurred as a result of incorrect surgical planning (e.g. wrong choice of osteotomy/flaws in surgical objective), poor execution of the surgical technique, or as a result of the MIS instrumentation/equipment. I will discuss the above in relation to my experience of complications encountered whilst employing minimally invasive surgical techniques in the treatment of forefoot pathology over the last 2 years

Background: Morton’s Neuroma is most likely a mechanically induced degenerative neuropathy, presenting as forefoot pain. Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed clinical notes, imaging and histology from 71 consecutive patients (75 feet) treated operatively for Morton’s Neuroma between January 2006 and April 2009 and a control group of 20 patients (20 feet) undergoing MRI for other forefoot pathology. 7 feet were excluded from the surgical group due to recurrent disease or missing data. Results: 84% of the surgical group were female. Mean age was 52. 97.4% of the surgical group presented with pain. 50% described pain in the plantar aspect of the forefoot and 85% reported that their pain was worse in shoes. Web space tenderness was positive in 95%, foot squeeze test 88%, plantar percussion 61% and toe tip sensation deficit 67%. Any two tests were positive in 92% of this group. In the control group any two tests were positive in only 39% – this difference was statistically significant (p< 0.0001 chi-squared test). MRI identified a neuroma in 97% of the surgical group (mean size 8mm) and 50% of the control group (mean size 6mm). 68% were in the 3rd web space; the remainder were in the 2nd web space. Histology confirmed neuroma in 99%. Discussion: This cohort is larger than any other published series and is further strengthened by both the consistency of clinical testing and the independence of radiological and histological assessment. Conclusion: We found that diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma was accurate. MRI correctly identified the neuromata in 97% and at least two clinical tests were present in 92%

We prospectively enrolled and evaluated 30 patients with unilateral or bilateral hallux valgus. At the time of our preliminary follow-up, 8 patients (14 feet) with unilateral or bilateral hallux valgus who had either a Scarf or a combined Scarf-Akin procedure from June 2006 to December 2006 were evaluated. Three surgeons practicing within one practice performed the procedures. Exclusion criteria for this study included concomitant forefoot pathology, such as hammertoes, clawtoes, and transfer metatarsalgia, which required concomitant surgery. We also excluded patients with excessive first ray instability which would have required 1st metatarsal-cuneiform fusion. The average age of the patients at surgery was 37.8 years (range, 14–76 years). Average follow-up time was 6.5 months. Four of the eight patients (8/14 feet) required an Akin osteotomy in addition to the Scarf procedure. Patients showed an average improvement of AOFAS score from 65.7 to 86.3. The ACFAS 1st ray score improved from 63.2 to 86.8. The intermetatarsal and hallux valgus angles improved from mean pre-operative values of 14.3° and 25.9° to 9.5° and 10.2°, respectively. Similarly, the 1st metatarsal declination angle also improved from a mean of 38.7° pre-operatively to 20.9° post–operatively. There was no significant change in first metatarsal dorsiflexion before and after surgery (64.5 to 68.7). Pre op and post op plantarflexion was also assessed. The mean hallux plantarflexion remained virtually identical at 11.3 degrees of motion. Pedobarographic analysis showed medialization of peak plantar pressure following surgery. Peak plantar pressure increased under the hallux (Increasing from 91.5 kPa to 144.6 kPa) and first metatarsal while decreasing under the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th metatarsals following surgery. Average time to return to work and to activities of daily living were 2.6 weeks and 3 weeks respectively. We conclude that the Scarf osteotomy and Akin closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx of the great toe appear to be safe and effective for the treatment of hallux valgus and restoration of normal forefoot pressure. Our data suggest the Scarf osteotomy normalizes the function of the hallux during the propulsive phase of the gait cycle. This was reflected in the increased peak pressure under the first metatarsal head and the reduction of peak pressure under the second metatarsal head. We have found pedobarography to be useful as a pre-operative tool and to assess outcomes in forefoot surgery

Introduction: The transverse metatarsal arch is the subject of some controversy as there isn’t a clear consensus as to whether there is a transverse arch (TMA) in stance phase. The current treatment options of forefoot pathology focus on the need to harmonise the TMA by the use of osteotomies such as the Weil osteotomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 75 feet (62 patients) with a mean follow up of 19 months. Patients underwent clinical, pedobarographic and radiological assessment. ‘Metatarsal skyline Views’ (MSV) were procured to assess the plantar profile of the TMA following Weil osteotomy. The feet were assessed using AOFAS, Foot Function Index, SF-36 and Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaires. Results: 69 feet showed good to excellent results with a normal MSV plantar profile. 6 feet had recurrent meta-tarsalgia with callosities and abnormal MSV profiles. These results correlated well with pedobarography. Discussion: The angle of Weil osteotomy is usually referenced relative to the floor irrespective of the plantar angulation of metatarsal. As different metatarsals had varying plantar angulations, the weight bearing metatarsal skyline view was used to ascertain the plantar profile of the metatarsals before, during and after surgery. This was also used to determine the amount of dorsal displacement required in addition to shortening in order to harmonise both length and plantar profile. Conclusion: The use of the Metatarsal skyline view has significantly improved our planning of the angles of the Weil osteotomy.We suggest that the reference for the osteotomy should be the plantar angulation of the metatarsal rather than the floor. It has made the intra-operative assessment of the osteotomy easier and has improved our understanding of the osteotomy and its influence on the forefoot plantar profile

Introduction: The transverse metatarsal arch is the subject of some controversy as there isn’t a clear consensus as to whether there is a transverse arch (TMA) in stance phase. The current treatment options of forefoot pathology focus on the need to harmonise the TMA by the use of osteotomies such as the Weil’s. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 75 feet (62 patients) with mean follow up of 19 months. Patients underwent clinical, pedobarographic and radiological assessment. ‘Metatarsal skyline Views’ (MSV) were procured to assess the plantar profile of the TMA following Weil osteotomy. The feet were assessed using AOFAS, Foot Function Index, SF-36 and Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaires. Results: 69 feet showed good to excellent results with a normal MSV plantar profile. 6 feet had recurrent metatarsalgia with callosities and abnormal MSV profiles. These results correlated well with pedobarography. Discussion: The angle of Weil osteotomy is usually referenced relative to the floor irrespective of the plantar angulation of metatarsal. As different metatarsals had varying plantar angulations, the weight bearing metatarsal skyline view was used to ascertain the plantar profile of the metatarsals before, during and after surgery. This was also used to determine the amount of dorsal displacement required in addition to shortening in order to harmonise both length and plantar profile. Conclusion: The use of the Metatarsal skyline view has significantly improved our planning of the angles of the Weil osteotomy. We suggest that the reference for the osteotomy should be the plantar angulation of the metatarsal rather than the floor. It has made the intraoperative assessment of the osteotomy easier and has improved our understanding of the osteotomy and its influence on the forefoot plantar profile

The contribution of incorrectly fitting footwear to the development of foot pain and deformity has been citied as an etiologic factor but is something that has not been fully evaluated. We examined the relationship between footwear characteristics and the prevalence of common forefoot problems in patients attending foot clinic. Methods: Prospective study measuring shoe size (width & Length) and foot measurements in 50 patients attending foot clinic with foot problems. Comparison made with 50 random people with no foot complaints. Deformities, medical histories and pain scores were documented. Results: Clinic patients: Mean age 49 range(19–68). 12 male 38 female. 21 out of 50 wearing shoes half a shoe size too small, 7 patients wearing shoes half a shoe size larger. 32 patients wearing shoes narrower than feet mean 6mm (range 2–9mm.) Deformities: 27 hallux valgus, 3 bunionette, 6 hammertoes, 5 callosities. Mean pain VAS 5 range (3–10). 11 patients were diabetic, 6 had peripheral vascular disease. Random patients: Mean age 41 range(19–65). 19 male 31 female. 7 out of 50 wearing shoes half a size smaller, 13 wearing shoes half a size larger, 15 wearing shoes narrower than feet mean 4 mm (range 2–7mm). Deformities: 6 hallux valgus, 3 hammer toes, 8 callosities. Mean pain VAS 1 (1–3). 8 people were diabetic. Conclusion: A large proportion of patients attending foot clinic wore ill-fitting shoes. Women wore shoes that were shorter and narrower compared to their feet than men. Wearing shoes smaller and narrower than the feet was associated with hammer toes, hallux valgus deformity and foot pain. Incorrectly fitting footwear may be a significant contributing factor associated with forefoot pathology and foot pain. These findings highlight the need for footwear assessment in the management of foot problems

The outcomes of the Berman-Gartland osteotomy in 26 feet (20 children) from 1995 to 1999 were evaluated. Average age at time of operation: 8 years, 3 months (range 37 to 194 months). Average age at follow-up: 2 years, 5 months (range 2 to 70 months). The osteotomy is performed in tourniquet from three lengthwise incisions and fixed by Kirschner wires and plaster of Paris for six weeks. Only patients with idiopathic PEC were included in this study. Average age at time of primary operation was ten months. For analysis, the type and percentage of preceding operations were: pantalar release (40%), posterior release (12%), and tendo calcaneus elongation (8%). Eight feet (30%) were not primarily surgically treated. Indicated for metatarsal osteotomy were: footwear difficulty (92%), gait instability (65%), and muscle spasm (56%). Average adduction deformity of the forefoot was clinically assessed as 30 degrees (20 to 45 degrees). Forefoot rigidity was evaluated according to Black as grade II (14 feet) and grade III (12 feet). Radiograph assessment was made by the use of T-I.MTT and C-V.MTT angle changes in the dorsoplantar weight-bearing view. We succeeded in correcting the average values of T-I.MTT angle from 28 degrees (range 20 to 43 degrees) preoperatively to 4 degrees (range 2 to 15 degrees) postoperatively, and C-V.MTT angle from 16 degrees (range 8 to 24 degrees) to 2 degrees (range -5 to 7 degrees). Isolated metatarsal varus deformity was found in 12 feet, in combination with talo-navicalar joint hypercorrection in nine feet, and in combination with residual talo-navicular joint subluxation in five feet. Calcaneocuboid joint displacement was classified as grade I and II in 16 and 3 feet respectively. Preoperative residual displacement was not found in seven feet. Complications were noted in three metatarsal nonunions (2% of 130 osteotomized metatarses), four pin migrations, one superficial infection, and one persistent forefoot swelling. At final follow-up, clinical findings and outcomes were assessed as excellent in 16 feet (62%) and good in 10 feet (38%). We recorded no inferior result. An apparent relationship was not found between the type and timing of preceding operations and varus forefoot deformity persistence. In 19 feet (73%), residual grade I and grade II tibial subluxation of the cuboid bone was found