Non-surgical treatments for Morton’s neuroma: A systematic review

TitleNon-surgical treatment for Morton’s neuroma: a systematic review.BackgroundMorton’s neuroma (MN) is an entrapment degenerative neuropathy with a strong predilection for the 3rd interdigital web space. The objective of our study was to identify the most significant evidence produced for the non-operative treatment of Morton's neuroma and assess outcomes of these interventions.MethodThe electronic databases Medline, Ovid EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to October 2018 were searched. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of the studies using the Modified Coleman Criteria. Statistics were combined across cohort studies to calculate pooled mean results, and improvements in outcomes.ResultsInitial electronic and hand search identified 486 studies. After title and abstract review there were 38 that went on to full-text review. Finally, 22 studies were included in the final review. We identified 9 different non-operative treatment modalities; Corticosteroid injection, Alcohol injection, Extra-corporeal Shockwave therapy (ESWT), Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), Cryoablation, Capsaicin injection, Botulinum toxin, Orthosis and YAG Laser Therapy. Corticosteroid showed a statistically significant reduction in mean VAS over all their studies (p < 0.01), with 50% success at 12 months. Alcohol showed promising short-term pain-relieving results only. Orthotics, Capsaicin injections, Cryoablation, Botulinum toxin, RFA and ESWT did show statistically significant improvements, but with limitation to their application.ConclusionFollowing review, the authors would recommend the use of corticosteroid injections to treat Morton’s neuromas. The authors feel that radio-frequency ablation and cryoablation would benefit from further well designed randomised controlled trials.     

Minimally invasive correction for symptomatic,fixed curly toe deformity

BackgroundCurly toe deformity is a relatively common deformity that generally occurs at the 4th and 5th proximal and/or middle phalanges but rarely presents with symptoms. Although numerous open operative techniques have been introduced, there is no established treatment yet. We report the results of minimally invasive correction for symptomatic, fixed curly toe deformity.MethodsBetween 2016 and 2018, 25 consecutive percutaneous dorsolateral closing wedge-shaped osteotomies with Shannon burrs at the proximal and/or middle phalanx were performed. We assessed the postoperative clinical and radiological changes at a mean of 22.51 months of follow-up.ResultsThe locations of osteotomy were at the middle phalanx in 10 cases, proximal phalanx in 13 cases, and both in one case. The mean amount of corrections of varus inclination and shortening were 16.54° and 2.24 mm, respectively. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Activities of Daily Living scores significantly improved from 59.09 preoperatively to 74.55 at the last follow-up. There was one case of pin site infection and one case of incision site numbness due to digital nerve injury.ConclusionsMinimally invasive dorsolateral closing wedge-shape osteotomy is a simple, safe, and effective correction for symptomatic, fixed curly toe deformity.     

Time to maximum clinical improvement following minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA) in hallux valgus surgery

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence of positive improvement in clinical and radiological outcomes following minimally invasive hallux valgus deformity correction surgery (MIS). This study investigated the rate of improvement in clinical patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) following MIS as this is not well understood.MethodsBetween July 2014 and July 2019, data was prospectively collected from consecutive patients pre-operatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months following third-generation minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA). Radiographic deformity and correction was assessed using weight-bearing radiographs pre-operatively and 6 weeks post-operatively. The primary outcome measure was the change in Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score at each time point. Secondary outcomes include radiographic deformity correction, health-related quality of life PROMs and exploration of cases where PROMs did not improve.ResultsThere were 202 feet with complete PROM data for every time point. There was a statistically significant improvement in MOXFQ Index score at each time point (p < 0.05) following MICA surgery. The majority of the improvement occurred within the first 6 months. A subgroup of 17 feet (8.4%) were identified which had worse MOXFQ Index scores 6 months following MICA. For 14 feet in this subgroup (82.4%), the MOXFQ Index score subsequently improved over time such that by two years, their score had significantly improved compared to their pre-operative score.ConclusionThe majority of PROM improvement with MICA is gained by 6 months post-operatively but further significant improvement can be seen up to 2 years. Those patients who have not improved at 6 months, are likely to do so with time.Level of evidenceIV.     

Contribution of a new electrophysiologic test to Morton's neuroma diagnosis

BackgroundMorton's neuroma causes metatarsalgia due to the interdigital neuropathy. The small nerve diameter compromises their evaluation in image studies. To overcome this problem we propose a new electrophysiological test.MethodsWe conducted a prospective case–control study performing a orthodromic electroneurography using subdermal electrodes in controls and patients to assess the validity. Additionally all patients were tested with magnetic resonance. Some patients required surgery and subsequent histological evaluation.ResultsThe new ENG procedure showed higher sensitivity and specificity. Methodological standardization was easy and the test was well tolerated by the subjects.ConclusionsOur test demonstrated remarkable diagnostic efficiency, and also was able to identify symptomatic patients undetected by magnetic resonance, which underlines the lack of correlation between the size and intensity of the lesion. This new electrophysiological method appears to be a highly sensitivity, well-tolerated, simple and low-cost for Morton's neuroma diagnosis.     

Operative resection is a viable treatment of macrodactyly of the foot caused by lipofibromatous hamartoma: A case study with 5 year follow-up

Lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH) is a benign tumour of nervous tissue that most commonly involves the median nerve. Only a few cases of LFH in the foot have been described. In these cases growth of bone and other tissue causing macrodactyly, a condition known as macrodystrophia lipomatosa, is often observed. Conservative treatment of LFH is usually preferred because of the potential loss of neurological function after surgery. Here we present a rare case of a 44-year old patient with LFH causing macrodactyly of the second ray of the left foot whose symptoms did not improve after conservative treatment. We describe the diagnostic process and the operative resection that was performed and show the follow-up results 5 years after surgery. All the symptoms experienced by our patient had disappeared. This case demonstrates that operative treatment of LFH in the foot is a viable option in patients with persistent symptoms following conservative treatment.Level of evidence: Level V.     

Radiographic evaluation of first MTP joint arthrodesis for severe hallux valgus: Does the introduction of a lag screw improve union rates and correction of the intermetatarsal angle?

BackgroundFirst metatarsophalangeal (MTP-1) joint fusion is a reliable method for the correction of various deformities including hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. Ideal constructs provide high rates of fusion in desired alignment. The present study examines the union rates, as well as the change in dorsiflexion angle during the follow up period in patients who underwent MTP-1 fusion with a dorsal locking plate and a lag screw, versus patients fused with a dorsal locking plate alone.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 99 feet undergoing MTP-1 fusion. Joints were fused using either a dorsal locking plate alone or a lag screw plus a dorsal locking plate. Union was determined radiographically during the follow up period. Suspected nonunions were confirmed with CT. Dorsiflexion angles were radiographically measured at first post-operative visit and at final follow up.ResultsThere were 36 patients in the lag screw plus dorsal plate group, and 63 in the dorsal plate group. Mean follow up was 12.9 months (Range: 12–33.5 months). The dorsal plate plus lag screw group had a significantly lower change in mean dorsiflexion angle (0.57° ± 5.01°) during the post-operative period compared to the dorsal plate group at final follow up versus the dorsal plate group (6.73° ± 7.07°).ConclusionThe addition of a lag screw to a dorsal locking plate for MTP-1 arthrodesis may offer improved stability of the joint in the sagittal plane over time compared to a dorsal plate alone.Level of evidenceRetrospective level III evidence.     

三种游离穿支皮瓣修复足背及前足组织缺损

目的探讨游离膝降动脉穿支皮瓣、隐动脉穿支皮瓣及股前外穿支皮瓣修复足背及前足软组织、复合组织缺损的疗效。方法纳入2010年8月至2014年10月35例足背及前足组织缺损患者,创面面积为9 cm×4.5 cm~26 cm×13 cm。采用游离膝降动脉穿支皮瓣修复12例(A组),游离隐动脉穿支皮瓣修复8例(B组),游离股前外穿支皮瓣修复15例(C组)。若为开放性损伤,则在皮瓣移植术前应用负压封闭引流装置覆盖5~7 d。结果术后34例皮瓣全部成活,仅1例(女童,7岁)股前外穿支皮瓣远端1/3坏死,2周后经削痂植皮后创面愈合。术后随访3~38个月,平均12.3个月。皮瓣修复后外形大多令人满意,术后3个月A组有3例、B组有2例进行二次修薄手术。A组有1例出现小腿持续肿胀,1例出现供区切口愈合不良;B组有5例出现供区肢体持续肿胀,3例出现供区切口愈合不良,4例供区远端出现皮疹。结论游离膝降动脉穿支皮瓣及游离隐动脉穿支皮瓣修复后大多需行二次修薄手术。游离股前外穿支皮瓣质地好,切取面积大,可避免二次修薄手术,受区影响较小,但仅可用于单纯足背或前足软组织覆盖。游离膝降动脉穿支皮瓣可制备皮-骨或皮-肌(肌腱)复合瓣用于修复足部复合组织缺损。     

Comparison between resection arthroplasty alone and resection arthroplasty with arthrodesis of the first MTP joint for rheumatoid forefoot deformities

Abstract

It has been reported that nearly 90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have problems with their feet. Several methods of treating hallux valgus deformity in RA have previously been reported, including arthrodesis and joint resection, and good results have been observed with surgical procedures. In this report, we compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of resection arthroplasty alone (the first method) and resection arthroplasty with arthrodesis of the first MTP joint (the second method) for the treatment of forefoot deformities of RA patients. On clinical assessment, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale score significantly improved in both methods; however, the second method gave better results than the first method in relation to the footwear and alignment components. On radiographic assessment, in the first method there were no significant changes in the valgus angle (H–V angle) and the fifth metatarsal bone (M1/5) angle between preoperation and last follow-up. In contrast, these angles were decreased in the second method. One of the most important issues in the treatment of forefoot deformities in RA patients is to correct splaying foot deformity. We believe that the second method, which can correct splaying foot deformity, is currently the most reliable treatment method.     

足底深支为蒂带趾短伸肌的逆行足背岛状皮瓣修复前足缺损

目的：探讨以足底深支为蒂带趾短伸肌的逆行足背岛状皮瓣修复前足软组织缺损的手术方法及临床疗效。方法：对15例前足软组织缺损的患者应用该皮瓣修复。其中,9例急诊一期手术,6例二期手术治疗,均保留伤足的跖趾关节。皮瓣切取面积为6cm×8cm～12cm×18cm。该岛状皮瓣以足底深支为蒂,并包含趾短伸肌、足背动脉及其分支跗外侧动脉和弓状动脉。术中将足背皮神经与趾神经缝合。皮瓣供区应用全厚皮片植皮修复。结果：二期手术患者中4例出现皮瓣远端部分坏死,经换药愈合。一期手术患者皮瓣均完全成活。术后随访6～12个月．平均10.5个月。皮瓣质地、外形满意。恢复了保护性感觉功能,而且皮瓣耐磨,无溃疡发生,不妨碍行走。结论：在保留跖趾关节同时以足底深支为蒂带趾短伸肌的逆行足背岛状皮瓣修复前足软组织缺损能够最大程度地恢复伤足功能。皮瓣切取面积较传统更大。该皮瓣是一种安全、有效的理想手术方式,特别是急诊一期手术疗效更佳。