Posterior Tibial Tendon Integrity Can Be Screened With Plain Anteroposterior Foot Radiography

Subtalar arthroereisis combined with medial soft tissue reconstruction in treating pediatric flexible flatfoot with accessory navicular

PURPOSE

Accessory navicular is accompanied by the deformity of valgus flexible flatfoot. The surgical treatment includes reconstruction of insertion of posterior tibial tendon following resection of the accessory navicular. However, this treatment could not correct completely the deformity of valgus flexible flatfoot. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of subtalar arthroereisis combined with medial soft tissue reconstruction in treating 8-14-year-old flexible flatfoot patients with accessory navicular.

METHODS

Clinical data of 35 pediatric flatfoot patients (with 50 feet) with accessory navicular who underwent subtalar arthroereisis and medial soft tissue reconstruction between April 2013 and September 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Anteroposterior, lateral, and hindfoot alignment radiological images were measured in the weight-bearing position, and visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, and satisfaction degree were evaluated. Also, surgical complications were recorded.

RESULTS

The average follow-up time of the patients was 30 ± 9.3 months. None of the patients presented wound complications, and no implant loosening was detected. The AOFAS and VAS scores improved significantly (P < 0.001). Radiological parameters, such as the talar first metatarsal angle and talonavicular coverage angle on anteroposterior foot view, Meary's angle and calcaneal pitch angle on the lateral view, and calcaneus valgus angle on hindfoot alignment view improved significantly (P < 0.001). Postoperative complications were observed in three patients.

CONCLUSION

Subtalar arthroereisis combined with medial soft tissue reconstruction significantly alleviated pain and improved the functions in pediatric and adolescent flexible flatfoot patients with accessory navicular; also, the radiological manifestations and functions improved.

Characteristics and Future Direction of Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy Research: A Scoping Review

Background and Objectives: Tibialis posterior tendon pathologies have been traditionally categorized into different stages of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), or adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), and more recently to progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize and characterize literature on early stages of PTTD (previously known as Stage I and II), which we will describe as tibialis posterior tendinopathy (TPT). We aim to identify what is known about TPT, identify gaps in knowledge on the topics of TPT, and propose future research direction. Materials and Methods: We included 44 studies and categorized them into epidemiology, diagnosis, evaluation, biomechanics outcome measure, imaging, and nonsurgical treatment. Results: A majority of studies (86.4%, 38 of 44 studies) recruited patients with mean or median ages greater than 40. For studies that reported body mass index (BMI) of the patients, 81.5% had mean or median BMI meeting criteria for being overweight. All but two papers described study populations as predominantly or entirely female gender. Biomechanical studies characterized findings associated with TPT to include increased forefoot abduction and rearfoot eversion during gait cycle, weak hip and ankle performance, and poor balance. Research on non-surgical treatment focused on orthotics with evidence mostly limited to observational studies. The optimal exercise regimen for the management of TPT remains unclear due to the limited number of high-quality studies. Conclusions: More epidemiological studies from diverse patient populations are necessary to better understand prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for TPT. The lack of high-quality studies investigating nonsurgical treatment options is concerning because, regardless of coexisting foot deformity, the initial treatment for TPT is typically conservative. Additional studies comparing various exercise programs may help identify optimal exercise therapy, and investigation into further nonsurgical treatments is needed to optimize the management for TPT.