Patients presenting with an acute tendoachilles (TA) rupture are managed in a dedicated clinic led by a Foot & Ankle Consultant and specialist physiotherapist. The diagnosis is made clinically and no ultrasound scan is performed. All management, rehabilitation and follow-up is undertaken within this clinic by the specialist physiotherapist, with Consultant support as required. Patients are offered a choice of conservative or surgical management (percutaneous TA repair). Both groups undergo a standardised functional rehabilitation regimen. All patients treated through our dedicated clinic between May 2010 and April 2016 were identified. Patient outcomes were reported using the validated Achilles Tendon Repair Score (ATRS). ATRS scores were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months post-injury. Re-rupture and complication rates were also documented.Background
Methods
Plantar fasciitis is a frequently chronic and disabling cause of foot pain in adults. This prospective study aims to evaluate the analgesic effect of ultrasound guided dry needling in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, refractory to conservative treatment. Patients undergoing dry needling for plantar fasciitis, followed by perifascial injection between Jan ′09 and Feb ′10 were identified. Pain scores were recorded on a visual analogue scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain possible) before the procedure, 2 weeks and 6 weeks post procedure. Patients were also contacted in April to assess their current pain level. Responses were graded as excellent (> 75% pain score improvement), good (50-74%), fair (25-49%) and poor (<25% relief). Any complications or need for any further intervention were recorded.Background
Method and Materials
