Heal or no heel: Outcomes of ischaemic heel ulcers following lower limb revascularization from a multi‐ethnic Asian Cohort in Singapore

Ischaemic diabetic heel ulcers are difficult to treat and prognosis is often guarded. The aim was to document our outcome of treating heel ulcers following revascularization in a predominantly diabetic Asian cohort presenting with chronic limb threatening ischaemia from Singapore. Retrospective cohort study (n = 66, 66 limbs) over a 5‐year period. Data were collected from hospital electronic health records. Outcomes included time to healing, amputation free survival (AFS), and mortality. Minimum follow‐up period was 6 months. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to look for factors associated with poor outcome. Mean age was 67.4 ± 8.8 years. 62/66 (93.9%) were diabetics. Mean wound size at presentation was 3.6 ± 2.3 cm. Mean Wound, Ischaemia, Foot Infection (WIFI) score was 5 ± 1.6. 12/66 (18%) patients had a patent posterior tibial artery pre‐operatively. Straight line flow was restored in only 31/66 (46.9) patients but 47/66 (71.2%) had successful limb salvage. Median time to wound healing was 90.0 (IQR 60‐180) days. A median of 1 (IQR 0‐2) wound debridement was required. Patients who underwent negative pressure dressing (23/66; 34.8%) required a median of 26 (IQR 13‐33) cycles to achieve healing. Amputation free survival (AFS) was 72% and 68% at 6‐ and 12‐months, respectively. Mortality rate was 16.7% and 19.7% at 6‐ and 12‐months, respectively. Low albumin level and initial Rutherford class were independent predictors of worse 6‐month AFS. Outcomes of heel ulcers post revascularisation may not be as poor as previously described. Persistent attention to wound care with multidisciplinary effort is needed for optimal healing.     

Plantar Fasciitis: Low-Cost Treatment Interventions in Primary Care

Plantar fasciitis, the most common diagnosis of chronic heel pain, is at an epidemic proportion. The condition affects 1 in 6 Americans regardless of age or activity level, resulting in over 1 million outpatient visits annually. Plantar fasciitis is a common presentation in primary care and is frequently diagnosed and managed by nurse practitioners. Treatment options include a myriad of interventions ranging from conservative, noninvasive therapies to invasive, surgical modalities. For those affected, the majority will have symptom resolution in 12 to 18 months with conservative treatments. The decision of an individualized treatment plan based on best practice measures can be intricate and time-consuming, especially if the patient is uninsured or underinsured. This article applies the currently available evidence to discuss low-cost, noninvasive treatment interventions for use in the primary care nurse practitioner’s office.     

Landing on Your Own Two Feet: A Case Report of Bilateral Calcaneus and Open Pilon Fractures

High energy fractures of the distal tibial plafond and calcaneus have been associated with high functional morbidity and wound complications. Although both of these fractures result from a similar mechanism, they have rarely been reported to occur on an ipsilateral extremity. The combination of these 2 injuries on the same extremity would increase the likelihood of an adverse surgical or functional outcome. We present the case and management strategy of a 43-year-old male with bilateral open pilon fractures and closed calcaneal fractures after falling from a height. A staged protocol was used for the bilateral pilon fractures, with external fixation until operative fixation on day 9. Nonoperative management of the calcaneal fractures resulted in a successful functional outcome at 10 months of follow-up. Treatment of this fracture pattern must incorporate the condition of the soft tissues, an understanding of the fractures, and minimize patient risk factors to optimize the functional and surgical outcomes.     

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Clinical Consensus Statement: Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Acquired Infracalcaneal Heel Pain

Adult acquired inferior calcaneal heel pain is a common pathology seen in a foot and ankle practice. A literature review and expert panel discussion of the most common findings and treatment options are presented. Various diagnostic and treatment modalities are available to the practitioner. It is prudent to combine appropriate history and physical examination findings with patient-specific treatment modalities for optimum success. We present the most common diagnostic tools and treatment options, followed by a discussion of the appropriateness of each based on the published data and experience of the expert panel.     

逆行小腿筋膜皮瓣修复儿童足跟部软组织缺损

目的 探讨小腿筋膜皮瓣对儿童足跟部软组织缺损的修复方法及疗效.方法 对自2010-2013年收治的12例因轮辐条伤致足跟部软组织缺损的患儿,进行小腿筋膜皮瓣逆行转位修复术.结果 本组共12例患儿,皮瓣全部成活,且外观良好,行走无疼痛感,受区无明显臃肿,足部感觉未受影响.结论 采用小腿筋膜皮瓣修复足跟部软组织缺损,其质地良好,术后恢复快,是修复儿童足跟部较大软组织缺损的理想方法.     

Effect of lower extremity amputation on caregiving burden in caregivers of patients with diabetic foot: Prospective cohort study

Lower extremity amputation as a treatment of diabetic foot ulcer is probably a major burden for the patient's family and friends, who typically act as caregivers and support the patient in coping with the physical disabilities and emotional distress. In the present prospective study, we investigated the effects of different lower extremity amputation levels for diabetic foot ulcer treatment on caregivers of patients with diabetes using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI‐12) scale. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers who underwent unilateral major amputation (above‐below knee) and minor amputation of foot (heel sparing) and their caregivers were requested to volunteer to participate in this study from June 2016 to December 2018. The ZBI‐12 form was completed immediately preoperatively and 3 and 6 months after postoperatively. In the minor amputation group, the mean age of the 51 patients was 72.1 years. In the major amputation group, the mean age of the 88 patients was 73.7 years. Both groups of caregivers of patients with minor amputation and major amputations showed a significant improvement in ZBI‐12 score when compared preoperatively and at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up visits. The mean ZBI‐12 score was significantly higher in the major than in the minor amputation group in preoperative and all postoperative visits. The absence of the ankle joint in the below‐ or above‐knee amputation renders it more difficult for the amputee to quickly learn the use of prosthesis, thereby increasing the burden of the patient and caregivers. We found that lower extremity amputation for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers has significantly favourable effect on the caregiver burden, and thereby heel sparing was considerably more effective for the caregiver burden.     

行走和跑步两种步态模式的实验分析

目的 :分析行走和跑步运动两种模式下人体步态的特征。方法及结果 :使用自行研制的三维运动检测分析系统对 5名健康男性在跑步机上进行了不同速率下行走和跑步 2种步态模式的比较实验。结论 :行走和跑步两种步态模式的参数具有明显差异 ,步速对步态参数的影响要小于步态模式的影响。     

NICU新生儿喂养后采集足跟血最佳时机研究

目的探讨NICU新生儿喂养后采集足跟血的最佳时机。方法对203例NICU新生儿依据采血距末次喂养后时间的不同分为4组,即:末次喂养后￣0.5h组;0.5￣1h组;1￣1.5h组;1.5￣2h组;比较各组在不同时间段采血的难易程度。结果末次喂养后￣0.5h组优良率88.0%,0.5￣1h组优良率62.7%,1￣1.5h组优良率48.9%,1.5￣2h组优良率45.3%,末次喂养后￣0.5h组优良率最高,与其他组之间的优良率差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),其他3组相互之间的优良率差异没有统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论末次喂养后采血时间不同对采血的难易程度有很大的影响,采血距末次喂养后时间≤0.5h为最佳采血时间。     

Platelet-Rich Plasma Has Better Long-Term Results Than Corticosteroids or Placebo for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: Randomized Control Trial

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a supersaturated concentration of autologous platelets that augments the natural healing response of fascia. Previous studies have shown the superiority of PRP over corticosteroids (CS) for chronic plantar fasciitis. The aim of this study was to compare the pain and functional outcomes of PRP with CS and placebo injections for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. We conducted a 3-arm randomized controlled trial of 90 patients: PRP (n?=?30 patients), CS (n?=?30 patients), and placebo (n?=?30 patients). The patients were followed at regular intervals until 18 months postinjection using validated instruments. The mean visual analog scale score showed significant improvement in all groups between baseline and 18-month follow-up (PRP: 8.2 vs 2.1; CS: 8.8 vs 3.6; placebo: 8.1 vs 5.4), with CS showing significantly better improvement than PRP in the short term, whereas longer-term PRP was significantly better than CS. The mean Roles and Maudley score showed significant improvement in all groups between baseline and 18-month follow-up (PRP: 1.7 vs 3.7; CS: 1.2 vs 3.1; placebo: 1.2 vs 2.0), with CS showing significantly better improvement than PRP in the short term, whereas longer-term PRP was significantly better than CS. The mean Short Form 12 score showed significant improvement in all groups between baseline and 18-month follow-up (PRP: 55.4 vs 80.2; CS: 56.2 vs 76.2; placebo: 54.1 vs 62.4). We found that all 3 groups showed significant improvement between baseline and end of the follow-up period with regard to pain, function, and general health. The CS arm showed better improvement in the short term, whereas the PRP arm showed better results in the long term. In contrast to previous studies, we found no significant drop-off effect of CS in the long term, which may be owing to background natural healing process of the disease. In summary, both PRP and CS are safe and effective treatment options for chronic plantar fasciitis, showing superior results to placebo treatment. The longer-term results and less reinjection and/or surgery rate of PRP makes it more attractive as an injection treatment option versus CS injection.