Foot and Ankle
Nigel N. Hsu
Casey Jo Humbyrd
ANATOMY
Ligaments
Lateral
Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)
Calcaneofibular ligament (CFL)
Posterior talofibular ligament
Syndesmosis
Anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL)—35% of strength
Posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL)—40% of strength
Interosseous ligament—21% of strength
Medial
Deltoid ligament complex
Calcaneonavicular ligament
Windlass mechanism
Plantar fascia tightens as the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints extend and lock the tarsal bones into a rigid column.
Gait mechanics
Stance phase
Heel strike
Hindfoot eversion unlocks the transverse tarsal joints for shock absorption.
Tibialis anterior—eccentric contraction
Foot flat
Gastrocnemius-soleus complex—eccentric contraction
Midstance
Hip extensors and quadriceps—concentric contraction
Heel off
Hip flexors—concentric contraction
Swing phase
Toe off
Hindfoot inversion locks the transverse tarsal joints for rigid lever arm.
Gastrocnemius-soleus complex—concentric contraction
Midswing
Tibialis anterior—concentric contraction
Terminal swing
Hamstring—decelerate
FOREFOOT
Hallux Valgus
Definition
Valgus deviation of the great toe with varus deviation of the first metatarsal (MT)
Patient history
More common in women
Pain over medial eminence
Difficulty with footwear
Physical examination
Hallux—valgus and pronation
Imaging (Figure 8.1)
Hallux valgus angle (HVA) <15°
Figure 8.1 Hallux valgus. From Walker R, Hamilton P, Singh S. Scarf osteotomy. In: Easley ME, ed. Operative Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2017:41-50.
Intermetatarsal angle (IMA) <9°
Distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) <15°
Hallux valgus interphalangeus angle (HVI) <10°
Access congruency of the first MTP
Treatment
Soft-tissue release (modified McBride procedure)
First MTP fusion—first MTP joint arthritis
Lapidus (first tarsometatarsal [TMT] joint fusion)—instability of first TMT joint
Distal chevron osteotomy—IMA <13° and HVA <40°
Proximal osteotomy—IMA ≥13° and HVA ≥40°
Biplanar osteotomy—to correct a DMAA >15°; may also need a proximal osteotomy
Akin osteotomy (proximal phalanx medial closing wedge osteotomy)—HVI >10°
Hallux rigidus
Definition—first MTP arthritis and stiffness
History—pain and swelling of the first MTP
Physical examination
Decreased dorsiflexion
Positive axial grind test
Imaging (Figure 8.2)
Grade 0—normal radiograph, stiffness on examination
Grade 1—mild dorsal osteophyte, mild pain on examination
Grade 2—moderate dorsal osteophyte, <50% joint space narrowing, moderate pain on examination
Grade 3—severe dorsal osteophyte, >50% joint space narrowing, major stiffness, pain at extreme range of motion (ROM), no pain at midrange
Grade 4—severe dorsal osteophyte, >50% joint space narrowing, major stiffness, pain at extreme ROM, pain at midrange
Treatment
Nonoperative—Morton extension, that is, stiff foot plate with extension under great toe
Operative
Dorsal cheilectomy—grades 1 and 2
First MTP arthrodesis (fuse in 10°-15° of dorsiflexion)—grades 3 and 4
Lesser Toe Deformities
Hammer toe
Definition
Distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint extension
Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint flexion
MTP joint normal (slight extension)
Treatment
Nonoperative—footwear modification to high toe box
Operative
Flexible deformity
Flexor tenotomy
Flexor-to-extensor tendon transfer
Fixed deformity
PIP arthroplasty
PIP arthrodesis
Claw toe
Definition
DIP flexion
PIP flexion
MTP hyperextension
Treatment
Nonoperative—footwear modification to high toe box
Operative
Flexible deformity
Extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) tenotomy, extensor digitorum longus lengthening, flexor-to-extensor tendon transfer
Fixed deformity
PIP arthroplasty/arthrodesis, MTP joint capsulotomy, extensor lengthening
Shortening (Weil) osteotomy
Mallet toe
Definition
DIP flexion
PIP normal
MTP normal
Treatment
Nonoperative—footwear modification to high toe box
Operative
Flexible deformity—flexor tenotomy
Fixed deformity—DIP arthroplasty/arthrodesis
Crossover toe
Definition—second toe lies dorsomedially relative to hallux
Treatment
Nonoperative—toe taping/splint
Operative
Flexor-to-extensor tendon transfer, medial collateral ligament release
EDB transfer to the intermetatarsal ligament
Shortening (Weil) MT osteotomy
MTP dislocation
Definition
Multiplanar instability
Plantar plate disruption
Walk on “marble in the ball of the foot”
Treatment
Nonoperative—taping, footwear modification, MT pads
Operative
Weil osteotomy
Plantar plate repair
Flexor-to-extensor tendon transfer
EDB transfer to the intermetatarsal ligament
Bunionette
Definition
Bony prominence over lateral MT head
Type I—Enlarged fifth MT head or lateral exostosis
Type II—Congenital bow of fifth MT
Type III—Increased 4 to 5 IMA
Treatment
Sesamoid Injuries
Turf toe
Definition
Forced dorsiflexion—avulsion of the plantar plate of the base of the phalanx and proximal migration of the sesamoids
Grade 1—capsular strain
Grade 2—partial capsular tear
Grade 3—complete plantar plate tear
Treatment
Nonoperative—stiff insole, toe taping
Operative—plantar plate repair
Sesamoid fracture
Boot immobilization
Transition to sesamoid relief pad
Surgery-excision versus open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
Sesamoiditis
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
Footwear modification
Fifth MT Base Fracture
Zone 1—avulsion fracture (pseudo-Jones fracture)
Hindfoot inversion—peroneus brevis or plantar fascia
Protected weight bearing in shoe/boot
Zone 2—metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction, extend into fourth and fifth intermetatarsal articulation (Jones fracture)
Forefoot adduction
Nonweight bearing
Intramedullary screw fixation in elite athletes
Zone 3—proximal diaphysis fracture
Repetitive microtrauma
Vascular watershed region
Increased risk of nonunion
Nonweight bearing
Intramedullary screw fixation with sclerosis/nonunion or athletes
MIDFOOT
Lisfranc Injury
Definition
TMT fracture/dislocation
Lisfranc ligament—medial cuneiform to base of second MT; plantar ligament
History
Axial loading of a plantar-flexed foot
Sports injuries
Motor vehicle accident
Physical examination
Severe pain and swelling
Plantar ecchymosis
Imaging (Figure 8.3)
Widened gap between first and second MTs
Fleck sign—first intermetatarsal space
Weight-bearing view
Abduction stress view
Treatment
Nonoperative—cast immobilization for 8 weeks until no displacement on weight bearing or stress views
Operative
ORIF
Primary arthrodesis
Purely ligamentous injury
Intra-articular comminution
Midfoot Arthritis
Definition—arthritis of the naviculocuneiform, intercuneiform, or MT cuneiform joint
History—midfoot pain with push-off
Physical examination
Arch collapse
Midfoot collapse
Tenderness to palpation in midfoot
Imaging (Figure 8.4)
Meary angle
Longitudinal arch collapse
Loss of joint space
Treatment
Nonoperative—orthotics
Arch support
Stiff shoe with rocker
Cushioned heel
Operative—midfoot arthrodesis to correct midfoot collapseStay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
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