Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
Results 1 - 3 of 3
Results per page:
Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_21 | Pages 15 - 15
1 Apr 2013
Chuter G Chua Y Connell D Blackney M
Full Access

Introduction

Up to 70% of patients with symptomatic Morton's neuroma proceed to surgery having failed non-operative management. The success of surgical excision is up to 85% but carries with it significant morbidity. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a less invasive alternative.

Methods

We studied a consecutive cohort of patients with Morton's neuroma that had failed non-operative treatment. Instead of undergoing surgical excision, these patients were referred for RFA. Under a local anaesthetic nerve block, RFA was performed under ultrasound-guidance, as an out-patient procedure, by a single radiologist. The procedure was repeated after 4 weeks if necessary. We followed patients for a minimum of 6 months to assess their change in visual analogue pain scores (VAS), overall symptom improvement, complications and progression to surgical excision.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 91-B, Issue SUPP_II | Pages 361 - 361
1 May 2009
Hughes R Ali K Jones H Kendall S Connell D
Full Access

Introduction: Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of foot pain. For this study, we assessed the efficacy of a series of sonographically guided alcohol injections into the lesion.

Method: One hundred and one consecutive patients with Morton’s neuroma were included in this prospective series. An average of 4.1 treatments per person wee administered, and follow-up images were obtained at a mean of 21.1 months after the last treatment (range, 13–34 months).

Results: Technical success was 100%. Partial or total symptom improvement was reported by 94% of the patients, with 84% becoming totally pain-free. The median visual assessed pain score decreased from 8 before treatment to 0 after treatment (p< 0.001). Transitory increased local pain occurred in 17 cases (16.8%). There were no major complications. Thirty patients underwent sonography at 6 months after the last injection and showed a 30% decrease in the size of the neuroma.

Discussion and Conclusion: We conclude that alcohol injection of Morton’s neuroma has a high success rate and is well tolerated. The success rate is acceptable at 84% whilst being associated with a low morbidity. The treatment avoids surgery and allows continued mobility with patients being able to weight bear and perform their usual activities of daily living. We advocate reserving surgical management for non-responders.


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 85-B, Issue 7 | Pages 1060 - 1066
1 Sep 2003
Henderson IJP Tuy B Connell D Oakes B Hettwer WH

In order to determine the usefulness of MRI in assessing autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) the first 57 patients (81 chondral lesions) with a 12-month review were evaluated clinically and with specialised MRI at three and 12 months.

Improvement 12 months after operation was found subjectively (37.6 to 51.9) and in knee function levels (from 85% International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) III/IV to 61% I/II). The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores showed an initial deterioration at three months (56% IKDC A/B) but marked improvement at 12 months (88% A/B).

The MRI at three months showed 82% of patients with at least 50% defect fill, 59% with a normal or nearly normal signal at repair sites, 71% with a mild or no effusion and 80% with a mild or no underlying bone-marrow oedema. These improved at 12 months to 93%, 93%, 94% and 91%, respectively.

The overall MR score at 12 months suggested production of normal or nearly normal cartilage in 82%, corresponding to a subjective improvement in 81% of patients and 88% IKDC A/B scores. Second-look surgery and biopsies in 15 patients (22 lesions) showed a moderate correlation of MRI with visual scoring; 70% of biopsies showed hyaline and hyaline-like cartilage. Thus, MRI at 12 months is a reasonable non-invasive means of assessment of ACI.