Foot compartment syndrome – a clinical review

Malignant Bone and Soft Tissue Lesions of the Foot

Malignant tumors of the foot are rare pathologies that can involve the skin, soft tissue, or bone. Due to their rarity, they are often misdiagnosed, resulting in inadequate excision and poor outcomes. A correct approach with a careful examination and radiological study, followed by a properly performed biopsy, is thus mandatory to avoid these pitfalls. The present article reviews the most common malignant bone and soft tissue lesions of the foot region, discussing their clinicopathological presentation, imaging features, and current concepts in treatment.

Bosworth fracture complicated by unrecognized compartment syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Compartment syndrome (CS) is exceedingly rare in ankle fractures. However, the risk of CS development seems to be increased in the presence of a Bosworth fracture-dislocation (BF), a rare variant of locked dislocation of the fibula behind the tibia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we report the case of a 39-year old man with delayed diagnosis of CS after having sustained a BF and failed attempts on closed reduction. The patient developed a flexion contracture of the hallux necessitating secondary fusion.

RESULTS

At 3 years after the injury, the patient was capable of running, but had 10 degrees limitation of ankle dorsiflexion, persisting decreased sensation on the plantar surface and clawing of the lesser toes. A thorough review of the literature revealed nine cases of CS after 167 reported BF resulting in a calculated prevalence of 5.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the extreme paucity of CS in malleolar fractures, CS in BF has a relatively high prevalence. Risk factors include severe dislocations, repeated attempts on closed reduction, and a long interval to definite surgery. A high index of suspicion is required because delayed diagnosis leads to lasting functional restrictions.

Persistent instability in pure ligamentous Lisfranc joint injuries

INTRODUCTION

Lisfranc injuries refer to a specific group of injuries which lead to instability of the tarsalmetatarsal joint. Our hypothesis is that persistent instability is permanent and asymptomatic in subtle unstable injuries of the medial column which have been fixed percutaneously.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the persistent instability of pure ligamentous Lisfranc joint injuries treated with anatomic reduction and percutaneous screws fixation by comparative radiographs of both feet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2014 and 2018, 14 patients diagnosed with subtle unstable Lisfranc injury were evaluated. Indications for surgery included widening (diastasis) greater than 2mm between the first and second metatarsal bases, and subluxation greater than 1mm of a metatarsal base from its respective tarsal bone.

RESULTS

Persistent instability was found on the stress radiographs of 11 patients (78.57% 95% CI: 48.60-95.07%) but without clinical connotations. The average AOFAS score evaluated at 18 months post-operatively was of 97.14 (SD±4.68) points. The median follow-up was 24 (RIQ: 18-24) months. In all patients, anatomical reduction on radiographs was evident.

CONCLUSION

We observed a persistent instability of the Lisfranc joint, without clinical connotations. Subtle unstable Lisfranc injuries treated with percutaneous screw fixation have a good clinical and functional outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Calcaneal Fractures-Which Approach for Which Fracture?

Treatment of calcaneal fractures has to be tailored to the individual pathoanatomy. If operative treatment is chosen, anatomic reconstruction of the calcaneal shape and joint surfaces is mandatory. For most of the displaced, intraarticular fractures, this can be achieved by less invasive reduction and fixation via a sinus tarsi approach, which may be extended along the "lateral utility" line for calcaneocuboid joint involvement or calcaneal fracture-dislocations. Purely percutaneous fixation is the treatment of choice for displaced extraarticular fractures and simple intraarticular fractures with adequate control of joint reduction. Specific approaches are used for rare calcaneal fracture variants.

Malignant tumours of the foot and ankle

Tumours of the foot and ankle constitute about 4-5% of all musculoskeletal tumours with the majority of them being benign. Diagnosis of malignant soft tissue or bone tumours is frequently delayed because of the relatively low prevalence and uncommon presentation at the foot and ankle. Suspicious lesions or lumps should be subjected to CT, MRI and biopsy. Subfascial location, lump size more than 5 cm, increase in size, painful and recurrent tumours should raise the suspicion of malignancy and lead to patient referral to a designated tumour centre. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, isolated limb perfusion (ILP) and hyperthermia for malignant tumours have to be discussed in a multidisciplinary tumour board. With the advances in local and free tissue transfer, limb-sparing techniques have increasingly replaced primary amputations thus preserving lower limb function as much as possible without compromising on the principles of oncologic resection.

Virtual reality as a non-pharmacologic analgesic for fasciotomy wound infections in acute compartment syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Fasciotomy is a life-saving procedure to treat acute compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency. As fasciotomy dramatically improves wound pain, it should be performed as soon as possible. Moreover, delays in the use of fasciotomy can increase the rate of wound infections. Once the fasciotomy wound is infected, pain control is achieved via the long-term use of opioids or anti-inflammatory analgesics. However, the administration of high doses of opioids may cause complications, such as respiratory depression, over-sedation, and constipation. Therefore, treatment methods other than narcotic administration should be established to better manage the pain caused by fasciotomy wound infections. Virtual reality has recently been introduced in analgesic therapy as a replacement, or complement, to conventional pharmacological treatments. Its use has been extensively studied in the pain management of patients with burns. An increasing number of painful conditions are being successfully treated with virtual reality. Here, we report a case of acute compartment syndrome complicated by fasciotomy wound infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 40-year-old Japanese man suffering from acute compartment syndrome of his leg due to a car accident trauma was treated with a fasciotomy to decompress intra-compartmental pressure and restore tissue perfusion, and admitted to an intensive care unit. Unfortunately, as the open fasciotomy wound was complicated by infection, he complained of hyperalgesia and severe pain during wound debridement. He was therefore given acetaminophen and high-dose intravenous patient-controlled analgesic fentanyl (35 μg/kg per day) to reduce the pain. Despite these efforts, the pain was poorly controlled and opioid-induced side effects such as respiratory depression were observed. An immersive virtual reality analgesic therapy aimed at distraction and relaxation was used and effectively alleviated the pain. Three sessions of virtual reality analgesic therapy over 2 days produced sustainable analgesic effects, which led to a 25-75% dose reduction in fentanyl administration and the concomitant alleviation of respiratory depression.

CONCLUSIONS

This case suggests the feasibility of virtual reality analgesic therapy for pain management of fasciotomy wound complications in acute compartment syndromes. Virtual reality represents a treatment option that would reduce analgesic consumption and eliminate opioid-induced respiratory depression to treat fasciotomy wound infection.

Hindfoot Injuries: How to Avoid Posttraumatic Varus Deformity?

Posttraumatic hindfoot varus may result from nonoperative treatment or inadequate reduction and fixation of talar and calcaneal fractures. Adequate visualization of the talar neck via bilateral approaches is essential in avoiding malreduction. In cases of medial comminution of the talar neck, lag screws must be avoided and the use of single or double plates should be considered. A Schanz screw introduced into the calcaneal tuberosity is instrumental in realigning shortening, varus, or valgus deformity of the heel. Special attention should be paid to addressing impaction of the medial facet of both the talus and calcaneus to avoid hindfoot varus.

Complex Foot Injury: Early and Definite Management

Complex foot injuries occur infrequently, but are life-changing events. They often present with other injuries as the result of a high-energy trauma. After initial stabilization, early assessment should be regarding salvagability. All treatment strategies are intensive. The initial treatment includes prevention of progression ischemia/necrosis, prevention of infection, and considering salvage or amputation. Definitive treatment for salvage includes anatomic reconstruction with stable internal fixation and early soft tissue coverage followed by aggressive rehabilitation. Prognosis after complex injuries is hard to predict. The various stages of the treatment are reviewed and recommendations are made.

Chopart Injuries: When to Fix and When to Fuse?

Chopart joint injuries have a profound effect on global foot function. Surgical treatment aims at joint reconstruction and axial alignment with restoration of the normal relationship of the lateral and medial foot columns. Internal fixation is tailored to the individual fracture pattern and achieved with resorbable pins, Kirschner wires, screws, and/or anatomically shaped minifragment plates. If instability persists, temporary joint transfixation may be achieved with Kirschner wires or bridge plating. Primary fusion sacrifices essential joints and should be reserved for severe initial cartilage damage. Corrective fusion becomes necessary for malunited Chopart joint injuries with rapidly evolving posttraumatic arthritis.