Aim. To describe a 2-stage treatment pathway for managing neuropathic forefoot ulcers and the safety and efficacy of percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening (TAL) in out-patient clinics. Methods. Forefoot ulcers in patients with diabetic neuropathy are a result of factors that result in increased forefoot plantar pressure. Plantar flexed metatarsal heads secondary to progressive claw toe deformity and hindfoot equinus from changes within the gastrocnemius-soleus-tendo-Achilles complex, with additional contraction of tibialis posterior and peroneal longus, secondary to motor neuropathy results in progressive increase in forefoot plantar pressures. Consecutive patients, who presented to our Diabetic Foot clinic since February 2019 with forefoot ulcers or recurrent forefoot callosity were treated with TAL in the first instance, and in patients with recurrent or non-healing ulcers, by proximal dorsal closing wedge osteotomy; a 2-stage treatment pathway. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess ulcer healing and recurrence. Results. One hundred and twelve patients (146 feet) underwent TAL by 3 consultants in the out-patient clinics. Of these, 96 feet were followed for a minimum of 12 months (range 12–36 months). None had infection or wound related problems at the tenotomy sites; complete transection of the tendon was noted in 4 patients (4%) and one-patient developed heel callosity suggestive of over-lengthening. In 92 feet (96%), the ulcers healed within 10 weeks (± 4 weeks). Additional z-lengthening of peroneal longus and tibialis posterior tendons helped in patients with big-toe and 5. th. metatarsal head ulcers. In 12 feet (10%), the ulcer failed to heal or recurred, the MRI scan in these patients showed plantar flexed metatarsals secondary to progressive claw toe deformity. The ulcer in this group healed after surgical offloading with proximal dorsal closing wedge osteotomy. In patients with osteomyelitis, the intramedullary canal was curetted and filled with local antibiotic eluting agents such as Cerament G. ®. The osteotomy site was stabilised with a percutaneous 1.6mm k-wire. Conclusion. The described 2-stage treatment pathway results in long-term healing of neuropathic forefoot ulcers, and in 96% of patients, the ulcer healed after out-patient percutaneous TAL alone. TAL is a safe and effective initial out-patient procedure with improved patient outcomes

Aim. The aim of this paper is to analyse the cause of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers and discuss their preventive measures. Methods. Review of patients with foot ulcers managed in our diabetic MDT clinics since Feb 2018 were analysed. Based on this observation and review of pertinent literature, following observations were made. Results. Forefoot. Progressive hindfoot equinus from contraction of gastroc-soleus-tendo-Achilles complex, with additional contraction of tibialis posterior and peroneal longus muscles and, progressive plantar flexed metatarsal heads secondary to claw toe deformity results in increased forefoot plantar pressures. In patients with insensate feet, this result in ulcer formation under the metatarsal heads from shear stress when walking. Callosity under the metatarsal heads is the earliest clinical sign. Most patients by this time have fixed tightness of the muscle groups as assessed by negative Silfverskiold test. Percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening (TAL) has shown to reduce the mid-forefoot plantar pressures by 32% and ulcer healing in 96% of patients within 10 weeks (± 4 weeks). Additional z-lengthening of peroneal longus and tibialis posterior tendons helped in patients with big-toe and 5. th. metatarsal head ulcers. Proximal metatarsal osteotomies further reduce the forefoot pressures to near normality. Midfoot. Midfoot ulcers are secondary to rocker-bottom deformity a consequence of Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN). Hindfoot equinus as described and relative osteopenia from neurally mediated increased blood flow (neurovascular theory) and repeated micro-trauma (neurotraumatic theory) result in failure of medial column osseo-ligamentous structures. As the disease progress to the lateral column, the cuboid height drops resulting in a progressive rocker bottom deformity. The skin under this deformity gradually breaks down to ulceration. In the pre-ulcerative stages of midfoot CN, TAL has shown to stabilise the disease progression and in some patents’ regression of the disease process was noted. The lump can excised electively and the foot accommodated in surgical shoes. Hindfoot. These develop commonly at the pressure areas and bony exostosis in non-ambulatory patients. In ambulatory patients, the most common cause are factors that result in over lengthening of tendo-Achilles such as after TAL, spontaneous tears, or tongue-type fractures. Conclusions. Early identification of factors that result in plantar skin callosity and treating the deforming forces prevent progression to ulceration. Total contact cast without treatment of these deforming forces results in progression of these callosities to ulceration while in the cast or soon after completion of cast treatment

The accessory navicular (AN) is a separate ossification center for the tuberosity of the navicular that is present in approximately 5–14% of the general population. It produces a firm prominence on the plantar-medial aspect of the midfoot. There may be a co-existent flexible flatfoot, but there is no conclusive evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship between the two conditions. It is usually not symptomatic, and few cases necessitate operative intervention. When symptoms require surgical treatment, excision of the AN, with or without advancement of the posterior tibial tendon, usually is considered. To describe new technique of AN excision and tibialis posterior tendon advancement (TPTA) using a bio-absorbable tenodesis screw and to investigate the outcome of this cohort in comparison to conventional simple excision. Retrospective 2 Cohort study. Single surgeon series from single institution. All patients younger than 18 years from Jan 2000 to Aug 2012 undergoing simple excision (SE) or excision with TPTA were identified from the prospectively collected database. Case notes were reviewed and data regarding demographics, indications for surgery, presence of Pes Planus, time from presentation to surgery, length of follow-up, patient satisfaction and complications were recorded. Pain and functional outcome were measured using Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and patient reported outcome measure- Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire- Child and Teenager Version. There were 6 patients in SE group. There were 3 males and 3 females. Mean age at surgery was 13.9 years. Surgical indication was painful swelling in all patients and in addition 1 had pes planus. There were 7 in SE & TPTA group. There were 3 males and 4 females. The mean age at surgery was 13.1 years. Surgical indication was painful swelling in all patients and in addition 1 had hind foot rigidity and 3 had pes planus. Postoperative protocol involved weight bearing with or without cast in SE group and non-weight bearing in cast for 6 weeks in TPA group. All patients reported excellent to good outcome. There were no complications and no reoperations after tendon advancement. In conclusion, based on our study findings, we think AN excision and TP advancement is a safe and effective technique for symptomatic pain relief. It is a novel technique which achieved excellent to good outcome in our series

Background. The adult acquired flat foot is caused by a complete or partial tear of the tibialis posterior tendon. We present the results of flexor digitorum longus transfer and medializing calcaneal osteotomy for recontruction of the deformity. Material & Methods. Twenty-six patients (31 feet) with an average age of 58 years (36–75) were operated for an acquired flat foot deformity. The patients were seen before surgery, one year after surgery and an average of 85 months after surgery to assess the following parameters: AOFAS Score, VAS Score for pain (0–10). Foot x-rays in full weightbearing position (dorsoplantar and lateral) were done at every visit in order to assess the following parameters: tarsometatarsale angle on the dorsoplantar and lateral x-ray, talocalcaneal angle on the lateral x-ray, calcaneal pitch angle and medial cuneiforme height on the lateral x-ray. Results. The AOFAS hindfoot score improved from 46.4 to 89.5 (max.: 100) points 1 year postoperatively und decreased to 87.8 points at the last follow-up. VAS for pain decreased from 6.6 to 1.1 at the one year follow-up and increased to 1.5 at the last follow-up. All radiologic parameters improved and stayed without significant changes over time. Following complications were seen: one recurrence, two patients with irritation of the sural nerve, one patient with hypesthesia of the big toe. In six patients the screws had to be removed. Apart from that no other revision surgery had to be done. Conclusion. Flexor digitorum longus transfer together with medializing calcaneal osteotomy provides excellent results for the therapy of acquired flat foot deformity. The results did not change significantly over time