Background

Surgical intervention for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus is an option for patients presenting with severe pain and deformity. Literature suggest that patients with high Pain Catastrophisation Scores (PCS) have poorer outcomes in spinal and to a lesser extent in arthroplasty surgery. There is however very little evidence pertaining to foot and ankle surgery.

Introduction

We report the functional outcome and survivorship of the Hintegra Total Ankle Replacement (TAR), in consecutive cases by multiple surgeons in a single UK institution. Between 2010–2014 the Hintegra TAR held 7.1% UK market share and surgeons should be aware of failure mechanisms.

Lateral approach open calcaneal osteotomy is the described gold standard procedure in the management of hindfoot deformity. With development of minimally invasive surgery, a MIS approach has been described, citing fewer wound complications and lower risk of sural nerve injury. This audit compares MIS to the traditional procedure. A retrospective review of all patients undergoing calcaneal osteotomy in Northumbria Trust in the past 5 years was performed. A total of 105 osteotomies were performed in 97 patients; 28 (13M:15F) in MIS group and 77 (40M:37F) had an open approach. The average age was 52.1 (range 16–83) for MIS and 51.5 (range 18–83) in the open group. All patients were followed up for development of wound complication, nerve injury and fusion rate. Wound complications were similar (10.7% in MIS group vs 10.3% in Open group) with no significant difference (p=0.48). Patients were treated for infection in 3(3.8%) cases in the open group and 2(7.1%) in the MIS group. This difference was not significant (p=0.43). 4 (14.3%) patients in the MIS group had evidence of sural nerve dysfunction post-operatively (managed expectantly), compared to 12(15.5%) patients in the open group (p=0.44). Of these, 2 went on to undergo neuroma exploration. There was no difference in nerve dysfunction in varus or valgus correction. Mean translation in the open group was measured as 7.3mm(SD=1.91;3 to 13mm) and 7.5mm(SD=1.25;5 to 10mm) in the MIS group. Translation was similar in varus or valgus correction. Non-union occurred in 2 patients in the MIS group and none in the open group (p= 0.06). MIS calcaneal osteotomy is a safe technique, that works as effectively as osteotomy performed through an open approach. There were lower rates of nerve injury, wound complication and infection, but this was not significantly different comparing groups. There was a higher risk of non-union in MIS technique.

Platelet rich plasma has been advocated for the treatment of plantar fasciitis but there are few good quality clinical trials to support its use. We report a pilot double blind randomised controlled trial of platelet rich plasma versus normal saline.