Although many patients who undergo bunion repair do well and have satisfactory results, a critical evaluation of these results shows the potential for improvement. Metatarsal deformity of the hallux valgus is a 3-dimensional deformity, including rotation in the coronal plane. Theoretically, it is important to understand the 3-dimensional displacement of the first metatarsal for correcting the deformities of valgus rotation in the frontal plane. Yet the current methods of metatarsal osteotomy principally attempt to correct the deformity in the transverse plane. The modified technique for the Lapidus procedure can be used in a variety of hallux valgus conditions and severities, and the early results suggest that a powerful correction can be maintained. In addition, efforts have been made to correct the 3-dimensional deformity by performing metatarsal shaft osteotomy. In the case of degenerative arthritis, first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis is a good option to correct the 3-dimensional deformation. Correction of the 3-dimensional deformity, including a rotational deformity in the frontal plane of the metatarsals, should be considered when selecting surgical treatment and is essential for achieving a good prognosis for patients with hallux valgus. This article reviews the classification and treatment of hallux valgus for correction of the 3-dimensional deformity.

Recurrence is a common complication following hallux valgus surgery. The postoperative recurrence rates have been reported to be between 2.7% and 16%. Reoperation is considered only for the recurrent deformities with intractable pain. The success of reoperation depends on identifying and addressing the cause of the recurrence appropriately. The surgical principle of reoperation for a recurrent hallux valgus is similar to that of the primary surgery, but arthrodesis and proximal metatarsal osteotomies with greater correcting power are adopted more frequently.

Purpose: This study compared the radiographic and clinical outcomes of simultaneous bilateral short scarf osteotomy with those of unilateral short scarf osteotomy in hallux valgus patients. Materials and Methods: The authors undertook a retrospective chart and radiographic review between January 2015 and June 2017 to identify 15 patients (30 cases, group A) who underwent a simultaneous bilateral short scarf osteotomy. The patients were matched with 30 patients (30 cases, group B) with a unilateral short scarf osteotomy. No significant preoperative differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, gender, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux score, and radiographic parameters. The clinical and radiographic follow-up was carried out at three months and one year. Results: Hallux valgus angles in groups A and B were reduced from the mean preoperative values of 32.5° and 34.7° to 12.5° and 12.2° at 12 months, respectively. The first-second intermetatarsal angles in groups A and B were also reduced from the mean preoperative values of 14.2° and 16.5° to 7.4° and 7.3° at 12 months, respectively. No significant inter-group differences in radiographic outcomes were observed. After three months, the patients in group A reported significantly worse mean pain and functional scores than group B. The mean AOFAS hallux score was higher in group B at the three-month follow-up, but this difference disappeared at the one-year followup. Conclusion: Simultaneous bilateral surgery can be offered to patients with a hallux valgus deformity requiring correction. On the other hand, they should be informed of the long recovery period.

Purpose: This study investigated the recurrence rate after performing hallux valgus correction using scarf and Akin osteotomy, and also identified the correlation and cut-off values of both the preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters as risk factors for the recurrence of hallux valgus. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 87 hallux valgus patients (122 feet) who received scarf and Akin osteotomy from January 2007 to August 2015. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. The radiological outcome measures included the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) as determined on the serial weight bearing radiographs. Recurrence was defined as more than 20 degrees of HVA noted on the final follow-up radiograph. Those radiological factors associated with recurrence were evaluated and analyzed. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 20.6 months (12.0~46.5 months) and the mean age was 44 years (13~80 years). The VAS and AOFAS scores were significantly improved at the time of the final follow-up (7.0 to 2.0, p<0.001; 78.0 to 92.0, p<0.001; respectively). Significant corrections in the HVA, IMA, and DMAA were obtained (p<0.001). Eleven (9.0%: 11/122) cases experienced recurrent hallux valgus deformity. The postoperative IMA, DMAA and HVA showed significant moderate to strong correlation with HVA at the final follow-up (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.44, 0.70, and 0.88, respectively; p<0.001). Postoperative HVA>16.7 degrees, postoperative DMAA>13.9 degrees, and postoperative IMA>8.2 degrees showed statistically significant correlation with radiological recurrence at the last follow-up, and the odds ratio of each variable was high in order. Conclusion: Our radiographic results indicated that postoperative HVA>16.7 degrees, postoperative DMAA>13.9 degrees, and postoperative IMA>8.2 degrees can be risk factors for hallux valgus recurrence. These risk factors may be helpful for modifying surgical procedures and preventing the recurrence of hallux valgus.

Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical and radiological results after reinforcement of the weakened medial joint capsule using Internal Brace (Arthrex) for treating severe hallux valgus. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed 56 cases of 50 patients that were followed-up postoperatively for at least 12 months, from September 2017 until August 2018. An extended distal chevron osteotomy combined with a distal soft-tissue release was performed by a single surgeon to treat severe hallux valgus. Internal Brace was applied in 12 cases (group A) who had weakened medial joint capsules, and capsulorrhaphy was performed in 44 cases (group B), and these two groups were compared postoperatively for the clinical and radiological results. The postoperative complications were also investigated. Results: No significant differences at 1-year follow-up on the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire and the patients' satisfaction scores were found between the two groups (p=0.905 and p=0.668, respectively). For the radiology, the changes of the values between before surgery and at 1-year follow-up according to the group showed no significant differences in the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, and the hallux interphalangeal angle (p=0.986, p=0.516, p=0.754, respectively). Recurrence of hallux valgus was reported in two cases in group A, and in three cases in group B. Transfer metatarsalgia occurred in 4 cases in group B. Conclusion: Based on these results, we recommend the capsule reinforcing technique using Internal Brace as a successful operative option for treating a weakened medial capsule in patients with severe hallux valgus.

Purpose: This study determined if anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)/superior extensor ankle retinaculum (SEAR) thicknesses are related to dynamic balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Materials and Methods: The subjects were 14 males and 15 females (age=24.52±3.46 years). Ankle instability was assessed using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) with a cut off score of 25 to define two groups. SonoSite MTurbo (Fugifilm Sonosite, Inc.) musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) unit was used to assess ATFL and SEAR thicknesses. Dynamic balance was measured with the Y Balance Test (YBT) and two NeuroCom balance tests. Results: There were no significant differences in the average ATFL thickness between stable and unstable ankles in those subjects with CAI (0.25±0.03 cm and 0.21±0.05 cm, respectively) or in the SEAR thickness (0.09±0.04 cm and 0.10±0.03 cm, respectively). There were also no significant differences in the right and left ATFL thicknesses (0.23±0.07 cm and 0.21±0.04 cm, respectively) or the SEAR thicknesses (0.09±0.01 cm and 0.09±0.01 cm, respectively) in those without CAI. There were no differences between limbs in composite scores on YBT in those with CAI (p=0.35) and those without CAI (p=0.33). There was a moderate correlation between the left SEAR thickness and the large forward/backward perturbations on the NeuroCom (Natus) motor control test (r=0.51, p=0.006 and r=0.54, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: There were no differences in the ATFL/SEAR thicknesses or balance measures between or within the groups, likely because CAI is multi-factorial and related to mechanisms other than tissue changes alone. More sensitive technology and a better definition of the measurement process may provide more definitive results.

Purpose: Bone contusion is usually treated with conservative therapy for 3 months. Bone contusion around knee and hip joints has been extensively reported on, but there are scant reports on this condition in foot and ankle joints. This study evaluated the nature, characteristics and location of bone contusion around foot and ankle joints to enlighten clinicians on how to better treat this disease entity. Materials and Methods: We classified bone contusion of the 76 patients into three types (102 sites; 47 ankle sprains, 18 traffic accidents, 11 falls) according to the Costa-Paz system with employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the study then analyzed the common sites and areas of occurrence according to the mechanism of injury and duration of pain after first conducting conservative therapy. Results: Of the 76 patients (102 sites) on the MRI, 43 case (42.2%) for talus, 19 cases for distal tibia, and 12 cases for calcaneus were involved. The classification, according to the Costa-Paz system, was Type I, 51 cases; Type II, 32 cases; and Type III, 19 cases. The duration of pain after conservative treatment was 12.15±2.17 weeks for Type I, 14.5±2.15 weeks for Type II, and 21.0±3.8 weeks for Type III. Conclusion: The most common location of post-traumatic bone contusion around both the foot and ankle is the talus, distal tibia, and calcaneus. The most common type of injury noted on MRI is a diffuse signal with change of the medullary component (Type I), In cases of bone contusion extending to a subjacent articular surface or disruption or depression of the normal contour of the cortical surface (Types II, III), the patients' pain appears to last longer. Thus, it is necessary to consider a longer period of conservative treatment in cases of Types II and III bone contusion because the patients' pain may last longer than 3 months.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate if the Ilizarov external fixation procedure with axial compression can help to obtain fusion across the ankle joint in patients with a high risk of nonunion. Materials and Methods: From January 2006 to December 2015, the study reviewed 17 patients who underwent ankle arthropathy with a high risk of nonunion and who underwent ankle fusion using the Ilizarov external fixator with axial compression and auto bone grafting. After the lateral surface of the ankle joint was exposed through a lateral trans-fibular approach, massive removal of the articular cartilage and excision of any loose or avascular bone were done. With the cortical bone harvested from the pelvis as corticocancellous bone blocks, we inserted the two cortical blocks longitudinally into the anterior and posterior part of the free ankle space from lateral to medial to make the rectangular chamber to fill the cancellous bones. After the Ilizarov external fixator was equipped, we tightened the frame by 5 mm to compress the bone graft space. We accessed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) AnkleHindfoot score both preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: The average age at the time of operation was 63.4 years (range, 47~78 years). The mean frame time was 17.4 weeks (range, 15~23 weeks). The average follow-up period was 3.7 years (range, 2~6 years). Osseous fusion was obtained in 15 patients (88.2%). There were two stable pseudarthroses among the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and we continued their follow-up. The mean AOFAS AnkleHindfoot score improved from 48.5 to 73.7 points. Conclusion: Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixation with axial compression and auto bone grafting on the ankle arthropathy that had difficult conditions to achieve union is considered one of the useful methods with a correspondingly low incidence of complications.

Symmetrical Digital Gangrene (SDG) is characterized by the sudden onset of peripheral, symmetrical gangrene in the absence of any major vascular occlusive disease. Catecholamine inotropes are frequently used for the treatment of septic shock combined with an unstable hemodynamic state, and their usage can rarely induce SDG. There is no standard treatment for the SDG. Early recognition and prompt management of sepsis and expeditious process of weaning off of the inotropes are necessary to prevent progression of SDG. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Korea regarding the treatment of SDG induced by catecholamine inotropes.

An osteochondral fracture is considered to be an injury involving the cartilage and subchondral bone. Acute traumatic osteochondral fractures can be related to joint instability because abnormal joint motion causes shearing and rotatory stress. Acute osteochondral fractures are frequently missed or misdiagnosed as a pure soft tissue injury. Thus, surgeons' proactive attention is highly required as articular cartilage has limited potential for self-repair and these lesions may develop osteoarthritis. In order to minimize the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis, it is important to properly identify and treat osteochondral fractures. Yet, little is known about the operative management of acute osteochondral fractures of the talus. We report here on a case of a middle-aged male with acute osteochondral fractures of the bilateral lateral talar dome. We applied different operative methods on each side with regard to fragment size and stability. A favorable clinical outcome was obtained at 18 months follow-up.

Diabetic foot ulcers can progress to the point where amputation is needed, and so these ulcers require active treatment. Skin grafts or flaps can be performed for coverage of this type of ulcer. Local flap surgery is relatively easy to perform and good results have been previously reported. We performed single-lobed rotation flap on 5 cases of forefoot ulcer around the site of weight bearing. The location of the foot ulcers was the medial part of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in all the patients. The mean size of the defect was 4.70 ㎠. Managing of ulcers, controlling of diabetes and infection, and improving of peripheral blood flow were performed before surgery. In two cases, infection progressed to the articular cartilage and so metatarsophalangeal joint fusions were performed simultaneously. All the cases were completely transplanted. There was no recurrence of the ulcers, and all the patients were able to walk.

Symptomatic neuromas after amputation can be troublesome to treat and make it difficult to properly fit a brace. Surgical management is required when conservative management such as prosthetic socket modification or local injections fail. However, small cutaneous nerves adhere to adjacent soft tissue and they are difficult to locate. The authors suggest that ultrasonography guided tattoo localization using a charcoal suspension is useful to find a visually indistinguishable neuroma.

In clinical practice, recurrent Achilles ruptures have been noted to occurr at the original ruptured site. However, reports of new developed fresh rupture of the Achilles tendon in other sites are is extremely rare. Our report is about one uncommon case of a traumatic calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fracture following augmented repair, which was performed using the Krackow locking loop technique. We performed open reduction and intra-osseous fixation using a suture anchor. This procedure was done through the primary longitudinal incision for the calcaneal avulsion fracture fragment. After 6 months of follow-up, our patient has achieved a complete functional recovery and he can normally perform daily and work-related tasks without pain.