BACKGROUND: This study aimed to ascertain the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) in progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) surgery.
METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 84 patients with PCFD (84 feet) who underwent surgery between July 2015 and April 2021 were included. The study assessed the patients\' subjective perception, as well as their VAS, AOFAS, and SF-36 scores at a minimum two-year follow-up, and these data were subjected to statistical analysis. The study utilized Spearman correlation analysis to determine the degree of correlation between patients\' subjective perception and their VAS, AOFAS, and SF-36 scores. The minimal detectable change (MDC), MCID, and SCB for VAS, AOFAS, and SF-36 were calculated using both distribution- and anchor-based methods. The classification outcomes obtained from the distribution- and anchor-based methods were assessed using Cohen\'s kappa.
RESULTS: Based on the subjective perception of the patients, a total of 84 individuals were categorized into three groups, with 7 in the no improvement group, 14 in the minimum improvement group, and 63 in the substantial improvement group. Spearman\'s correlation analysis indicated that the patients\' subjective perception exhibited a moderate to strong association with VAS, AOFAS, SF-36 PCS, and SF-36 MCS, with all coefficients exceeding 0.4. The MCID of VAS, AOFAS, SF-36 PCS, and SF-36 MCS in PCFD surgery were determined to be 0.93, 5.84, 4.15, and 4.10 points using the distribution-based method and 1.50, 10.50, 8.34, and 3.03 points using the anchor-based method. The SCB of VAS, AOFAS, SF-36 PCS, and SF-36 MCS in PCFD surgery were 2.50, 18.50, 11.88, and 6.34 points, respectively. Moreover, the preliminary internal validation efforts have demonstrated the practical application and clinical utility of these findings. With the exception of the distribution-based MCID of SF-36 PCS, which showed fair agreement, all other measures demonstrated moderate to almost perfect agreement.
CONCLUSIONS: The MDC, MCID, and SCB intuitively enhance the interpretation of VAS, AOFAS, and SF-36 in PCFD surgery, assisting all stakeholders to better understand the therapeutic benefits and limitations of clinical care, and thus to make a more rational decision. Each of these parameters has its own emphasis and complements the others. These parameters are recommended for evaluating the clinical relevance of the results, and their promotion should extend to other areas of foot and ankle surgery.

Adult flatfoot is a common foot deformity, mainly manifested as medial arch collapsing, hindfoot valgus and forefoot abduction. People have a more thorough understanding of the pathological changes and pathogenesis of flatfoot with further research. There is a new expert consensus for adult flatfoot published in Foot & Ankle Inter. in 2020. The expert panel reviewed the latest literature to develop consensus recommendations for flatfoot, including its nomenclature, diagnosis, classification and operative treatment. The consensus represents a new understanding of the disease and a new concept because of the authority of its authors and the comprehensiveness of its content, and it is also a phased summary of the theoretical and clinical progress of adult flatfoot. This article gives a detailed interpretation of the content in the consensus.
成人平足症是常见的足部畸形，主要表现为内侧足弓塌陷、跟骨外翻、前足外展。随着对平足研究的深入，人们对该疾病的病理变化及发病机制理解更加透彻。2020年10月在Foot & Ankle International杂志上发表了有关平足的最新共识。该共识结合该领域内的最新进展，对平足的命名、诊断、分级及手术治疗等进行了更新。该共识因其制定者的权威性以及内容的全面性代表了对疾病的新认识和新理念，同时也是对成人平足症理论和临床进展的阶段性总结，本文对该共识中内容进行了解读。.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of different procedures for stage IIA progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) through three-dimensional finite element models.
METHODS: A previous validated stage IIA PCFD FEA model was established consisting of 16 bones, 56 ligaments, 5 muscles and soft tissues. The ligament properties of the spring, deltoid, short plantar and long plantar ligaments, and plantar fascia were attenuated according to a previous publication. Medial column fusion (MCF), medializing calcaneal osteotomy (MCO), lateral column lengthening (LCL), and subtalar joint arthroereisis (SJA) operations were simulated in this model. The indexes of plantar stress distribution, maximum von Mises of the medial and lateral columns, strain of the medial ligaments and plantar fascia that supported the medial longitudinal arch, arch height, talo-first metatarsal angle, calcaneus pitch angle, and talonavicular coverage angle were all compared before and after simulated single-foot weight loading.
RESULTS: The maximum plantar stress of PCFD decreased with MCO and SJA but increased with MCF and LCL. MCF and LCL failed to significantly reduce the stress on the medial column fragments, thereby increasing their stress. Both MCO and SJA relieved medial plantar stress. MCF had no significant effect on stress relief of the medial ligament. MCO, LCL, and SJA were all shown to reduce the pressure on the medial plantar ligament, with LCL having the most obvious effect. All four procedures corrected the arch deformity; however, MCF was not as effective as the other methods. SJA is the best method for restoring arch height and correcting arch deformities. For stage IIA PCFD, isolated MCF failed to reduce pressure on the medial column; however, isolated MCO significantly reduced the pressure on the medial plantar and ligamentous soft tissues while restoring the foot\'s arch and correcting the hindfoot valgus.
CONCLUSIONS: SJA with type II sinus tarsi implant effectively transferred pressure from the medial plantar tract to the lateral side and restored the arch. Isolated LCL was not found suitable for stage IIA PCFD.

暂无摘要。

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of rotational Scarf osteotomy in treating hallux valgus (HV) with rotation of the first metatarsal bone.
METHODS: From January 2018 to October 2019, 35 patients (40 feet) with HV and rotation deformity of the first metatarsal were treated with rotational Scarf osteotomy, including 5 males and 30 females;aged from 25 to 76 years old with an average of (40.32±5.43) years old. Hallux valgus angle(HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), the first metatarsal length (FML) were observed and compared, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) of hallux metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal joint score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate functional evaluation.
RESULTS: Thirty-five patients(40 feet) were followed up from 12 to 36 months with an average of (14.35±3.62) months. HVA, IMA and DMAA were corrected from (36.32±4.51) °, (14.21±3.22) ° and (28.35±4.32) ° before operation to (14.32±5.71) °, (5.83±3.97) ° and (7.32±2.14) ° after operation respectively (P<0.05). There was no satistical difference in FML before and after operation (P>0.05). AOFAS score and VAS improved from (57.00±4.31) and (6.00±1.21) before operation to (90.31±3.28) and (1.42±0.83) after operation, respectively, and had significant difference(P<0.05);according to AOFAS score, 23 feet got excellent results, 15 feet good and 2 feet fair.
CONCLUSIONS: Rotational Scarf osteotomy with strong correction and high dimension could effectively correct HV combined with rotation deformity of the first metatarsal bone, improve function of the forefoot, and obtain good clinical results.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and foot deformity are the most common causes of diabetic foot, which can considerably worsen the patient\'s quality of life. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with DPN, PAD, and foot deformity among patients with diabetes living in Beijing, China. In total, 3,898 diabetes patients from 11 hospitals in Beijing were evaluated using questionnaires and physical examinations, and 3,758 patients were included in the analysis. We compared the demographic, clinical, biological characteristics, and comorbidities of patients with and without DPN, PAD, or foot deformity, and used binary logistic regression analysis to identify potential factors associated with these outcomes. Overall, 882 patients (23.5%) had DPN, 437 patients (11.6%) had PAD, and 1,117 patients (29.7%) had foot deformities, including callus. The risk factors for DPN included: age ≥40 years, a ≥10+year duration of diabetes, a body mass index of <18.5 kg/m2 or ≥24 kg/m2, a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥140 mm Hg, a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of ≥7%, chronic kidney disease, and cerebrovascular disease. The risk factors for PAD included: a 15+ year diabetes duration, a body mass index of <18.5 kg/m2, a SBP of ≥140 mm Hg, a HbA1c level of ≥7%, chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. The risk factors for skeletal foot deformities included: women, age ≥40 years, a SBP ≥140 mm Hg, and hyperlipidemia. The risk factors for callus formation included: women, a SBP ≥140 mm Hg, and hyperlipidemia. In conclusion, the prevalence of foot deformities was higher than DPN and PAD in patients with diabetes. Managing the risk factors for DPN, PAD, and foot deformity is important for reducing the risk of diabetic foot.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a wide range of anatomical classifications of the subtalar joint (STJ) in the population and this is related to the different force line structures of the foot. Different subtalar articular surface morphology may affect the occurrence and development of flat foot deformity, and there are fewer studies in this area. The main objective of our study was to determine the association of different subtalar articular surface with the occurrence and severity of flat foot deformity.
METHODS: We analyzed the imaging data of 289 cases of STJ. The articular surface area, Gissane\'s angle and Bohler\'s angle of subtalar articular surface of different types were counted. The occurrence and severity of flat foot deformity in different subtalar articular surface were judged by measuring the Meary angle of foot.
RESULTS: We classified 289 cases of subtalar articular surface into five types according to the morphology. According to Meary angle, the flat foot deformity of Type I and Type IV are significantly severer than Type II (P < 0.05). Type II (7.65 ± 1.38 cm2) was significantly smaller than Type I (8.40 ± 1.79 cm2) in the total joint facet area(P < 0.05). Type III (9.15 ± 1.92 cm2) was smaller than Type I (8.40 ± 1.79 cm2), II (7.65 ± 1.38 cm2) and IV (7.81 ± 1.74 cm2) (P < 0.05). Type II (28.81 ± 7.44∘) was significantly smaller than Type I (30.80 ± 4.61 degrees), and IV (32.25 ± 5.02 degrees) in the Bohler\'s angle (P < 0.05). Type II (128.49 ± 6.74 degrees) was smaller than Type I (131.58 ± 7.32 degrees), and IV (131.94 ± 5.80 degrees) in the Gissane\'s angle (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: After being compared and analyzed the measurement of morphological parameters, joint facet area and fusion of subtalar articular surface were closely related to the severity of flat foot deformity and Type I and IV were more likely to develop severer flat foot deformity.
METHODS: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 170 cases of macrodactyly.
METHODS: Medical records of 170 macrodactyly patients at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between March 2006 and October 2019, including demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, anatomical distributions, X-rays, pathological findings, and treatments, were reviewed. PIK3CA mutation analyses of 12 patients were also reviewed.
RESULTS: Disease incidence was similar across sex and geographical regions. Multiple-digit involvement was 3.9 times more frequent than single-digit involvement. In upper deformit: ies, the index finger, middle finger and thumb were mostly involved, and the second and third toes were the most affected on the foot. Two digits were affected more often than three digits, with the affected multiple digits were adjacent most time. The cases of progressive macrodactyly, in which the affected digits grew at a faster rate than the unaffected digits, were found more than static type. Most of progressive macrodactyly were noticed at birth. In terms of nerve involvement, affected fingers mostly occurred in the median nerve innervation area (79.4%) accompanied by median nerve and brunches enlargement and fat infiltration, i.e., nerve territory oriented; affected toes mostly occurred in the medial plantar nerve innervation area (89.1%), marked with overgrowth of adipose tissue with a lesser degree of neural overgrowth, i.e., lipomatous. Only 17 cases had comorbid of syndactyly. The metacarpal bones were involved only in progressive type of macrodactyly. Ten of the 12 cases subjected to PIK3CA mutation analysis were positive. Among all tested specimens, PIK3CA mutation levels ranged from 7% to 27%. In terms of tissue sources in which a mutation was found, adipose tissue had the highest mutation detection rate, followed by nerve and skin. All the DNA samples of blood from the 12 PIK3CA mutation-positive patients were negative.
CONCLUSIONS: Macrodactyly fingers mostly occurred in the median nerve innervation area accompanied by median nerve and brunches enlargement and fat infiltration. The index and middle fingers were mostly involved. Macrodactyly toes mostly occurred in the medial plantar nerve innervation area, marked with overgrowth of adipose tissue with a lesser degree of neural overgrowth. The second and third toes were the most affected on the foot. A high proportion (83%) of isolated macrodactyly patients carry activating PIK3CA mutations. Adipose, nerve, and skin tissues provide the highest PIK3CA mutation detection yield among all types of tissue studied.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of tibiotalocalcaneal fusion using cannulated screw and humeral proximal locking plate inverted fixation through a lateral transfibular approach.
METHODS: From June 2015 to December 2018, 15 patients underwent a tibiotalocalcaneal fusion operation using cannulated screw and inverted proximal humerus locking plate through a transfibular approach. There were 10 males and 5 females with the age ranging from 45 to 72 (58.9±6.1) years, and the course of disease ranged from 2 to 35 (11.9±7.9)years. Preoperative diagnosis included 8 cases of post traumatic arthritis, 2 cases of Charcot arthritis, 2 cases of Charcot-Marie -Tooth (CMT), 1 case of ankle tuberculosis, 1 case of talar necrosis, and 1 case of pigmented villonnodular synovitis. Among them, 8 patients were combined with simple varus deformity, 4 patients with simple valgus deformity, 2 patients with equinovarus deformity, 1 patient with equinovarus deformity, 2 patients with adduction and internal rotation of middle and forefoot. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the clinical outcome at the last follow up.
RESULTS: One lost follow up and remaining fourteen patients were followed up. The follow up time ranged from 10 to 25(16.6±4.3) months. All the 15 patients had primary healing. Fusion time ranged from 15 to 24 (16.8 ± 2.4) weeks after operation. One patient with diabetes experienced delayed union and was successfully treated with secondary bone grafting combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection. The AOFAS score increased from 38.7±3.3 to 84.5±2.6 (P<0.05), and the VAS score decreased from 7.5±1.6 to 1.9±0.3(P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion used cannulated screw and humeral proximal locking plate inverted fixation through a lateral transfibular approach has the advantages of relatively simple technique, high fusion rate, especially for patients with posterior foot deformity, which has satisfactory short term effects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to introduce a new therapeutic strategy for simultaneous correction of complex foot deformities (CFD) and the associated lower limb deformities (LLD) by using Ilizarov technique with osteotomy and soft tissue procedure and to report its early clinical results.
METHODS: A retrospective review of CFD associated with LLD simultaneous correction utilizing the Ilizarov procedure together with osteotomy and soft tissue balance from 2015 to 2019 was conducted.
RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were followed for an average of 42.8 months. The mean external fixation time (EFT) was 6.5 months. The mean healing index (HI) was 1.7 months/cm. At the time of fixator removal, plantigrade feet were achieved in all patient and lower limb deformities were corrected. No recurrence of the deformities occurred. The mean LLRS AIM score was improved from 7.5 to 0.3. At the final follow-up, the ASAMI-Paley score was graded as excellent in all limbs in the aspect of bone results, and functional results were defined as excellent in 29 (90.6%) limbs and good in 3 (9.4%) limbs. The mean modified Dimeglio score was significantly improved from 7.2 to 1.3. No deep infection of the osteotomy site or nonunion was noted in the current study.
CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic strategy by using the Ilizarov procedure together with osteotomy and soft tissue balance is a safe and effective way to simultaneously correct CFD and LLD.
METHODS: Level IV, retrospective case series.