The effect of hallux valgus on the anatomy of the nerves around the first metatarsal bone

OBJECTIVE

To identify the variations in the location of the nerves that may be at risk in hallux valgus (HV) surgery, and to reveal whether these nerves are affected by the anatomical changes associated with HV.

METHOD

In the formalin fixed, 46 lower extremities (19 female, 27 male) (9 normal, 14 mild HV, 21 moderate/severe HV), extensor hallucis longus tendon (EHL), deep plantar artery, medial dorsal cutaneous (MDCN), deep fibular (DFN), common plantar digital (CPDN) and proper plantar digital (PPDN) nerves were examined. The branches of MDCN extending to the medial side of foot were recorded in three segments. The positional topography of nerves according to EHL were analyzed on 360° circle and clock models.

RESULTS

Sex-related differences observed in some parameters in direct measurements were not found in the clock model comparisons. In advanced HV angles (> 20°), DFN was closer to EHL in the distal part of the metatarsal bone, while there was no difference in the proximal. The intersection of the medial branch of the MDCN with the EHL was more proximal in HV cases than in normal feet. The location of the nerves in the clock pattern did not change in HV. Of the nerve branches reaching the medial side of the foot, 65.2% were in Part I, 71.7% in Part II, and 4.3% in Part III.

CONCLUSION

Sex differences in the distance of the nerves to the EHL disappeared when the size effect of the cross-section of the first metatarsal bone region was eliminated with the clock model. Only in advanced HVA (>20°) (not in mild HV), the DFN being closer to the EHL distally and the intersection of the medial branch of the MDCN with the EHL in HV being more proximal than in normal can be interpreted as specific reflections of HV progress. The variations we revealed in the number of branches reaching the inside of the foot may explain the diversity of neuromas or nerve injuries associated with HV surgery.

Comparison of stiffness, elasticity and resilience values of ACL with autografts used instead of ACL in terms of texture analysis

Background

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are one of the most extensively studied injuries in the field of orthopedics, but despite the extensive research, graft selection for ACL reconstruction remains a matter of debate. The present study aims to evaluate the stiffness and elasticity of native ACLs using texture profile analysis and compare results with those of autografts used in ACL reconstruction.

Methods

Included in the study were dissected 12 cadavers from which grafts were recovered. The graft characteristics, such as stiffness, elasticity and resilience, were measured using a TA.XT Plus Texture Analyzer.

Findings

Among the grafts studied, Achilles' tendon graft (0.70; 0.64) had the highest resilience in both males and females, while the greatest elasticity was identified in the patellar tendon graft (Male: 93 %; Female: 94 %) in all subjects. The highest stiffness value in males was recorded for the quadriceps tendon graft (2928.76 N), while the highest stiffness value in females was recorded for Achilles' tendon graft (2204.61 N).

Interpretation

According to the study data, the autografts that may be considered as an alternative to ACL were, listed in order of strength from high to low, the quadriceps, Achilles', patella and hamstring tendons in men, and the Achilles', quadriceps, patellar and hamstring tendons in women. It is worthy of note that the hamstring tendon graft, which is the most frequently preferred autograft in ACL reconstruction, was found to be the lowest in all parameters in both groups.

Evaluation of nerve innervation distribution of orbicularis oculi muscle for botulinum neurotoxin application using Sihler's method

BACKGROUND

Blepharospasm is the involuntary and forced closure of the eyelids due to spasm-like contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eye. The study aimed to reveal the nerve innervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle for Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) treatment of blepharospasm by Sihler's staining technique.

METHODS

This study used six cephalus (12 orbicularis oculi muscles) with an average age of 69,6 (62-88) years. Then, the orbicularis oculi muscles were removed by dissection, and Sihler's staining technique was applied to the muscles. The limit for dissection of the muscle is the orbital opening level, where the nerves enter the muscle, and the muscle attaches to the bone.

RESULTS

In the region above the palpebral fissure, the nerves entering the muscle were densely located in the superolateral quadrant between 9 and 12 o'clock in the right eye and between 12 and 3 o'clock in the left eye. In the region under the palpebral fissure, the nerves' density in the orbicularis oculi muscle was higher between 4 and 7 o'clock in the right eye and between 5 and 8 o'clock in the left eye.

CONCLUSION

This study unveiled the nerve branches associated with the orbicularis oculi muscle. It pinpointed precise crossing points of these nerve branches, which can be targeted for applying BoNT in treating blepharospasm. Consequently, by utilizing minimal BoNT, it is anticipated that the quantity of toxin administered will decrease, leading to more efficient outcomes and reduced expenses. Furthermore, this approach can aid in averting potential undesired complications during BoNT administration.

Connection between medial dorsal cutaneous nerve and saphenous nerve: case report

PURPOSE

There are no data on the connection of the saphenous nerve (SN), located on the medial side of the foot, with the terminal branches of the superficial fibular nerve. The aim of this study is to reveal the variation that surgeons should pay attention to for anesthesia applied in foot surgeries.

METHODS

In this study, the left foot of a 70-year-old female cadaver fixed with formalin was dissected. The distance to the medial malleolus and the incision line was recorded using digital caliper to determine the reference points in the resulting variation.

RESULTS

It was observed that a branch from the SN, which arose from the SN and proceeded anteriorly to the upper part of the medial malleolus and continued towards the dorsum of the foot, hooked with a branch from the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve (MDCN). The branches arising from this hook were distributed on the medial edge of the foot up to the proximal metatarsophalangeal joint I. The distance of this nerve connection to the medial malleolus is 91.14 mm, and the distance to the incision line is 15.76 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that the case presented as an unusual SN variation, which may affect the success of local anesthesia in invasive procedures to the medial part of the foot and could be considered in the evaluation of sensory loss after anteromedial surgical approach to the ankle, should be included in the classification of the cutaneous innervation pattern of the foot.

Evaluation of the Impact of Serum Vitamin D Levels on the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin condition characterized by itching, eczematous plaques, and dry skin. Despite ongoing research, its exact cause remains elusive. In this study, we aimed to explore the factors that influence the severity of AD in children and assess the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the disease's severity. We enrolled 96 AD patients in our investigation, evaluated their clinical condition using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, and compared them to a group of 90 healthy controls. Our analysis revealed that serum vitamin D levels and eosinophil counts significantly impacted the SCORAD index (p < 0.001). According to standardized regression coefficients, for each incremental unit in serum vitamin D levels, the SCORAD index exhibited a decrease of 0.449 units. Similarly, a one-unit increase in eosinophil count resulted in a 0.009 unit increase in the SCORAD index. It is worth noting that the influence of serum vitamin D levels on disease severity surpasses that of eosinophil counts and atopic conditions. In our patient cohort, we uncovered a negative correlation (r = -0.419, p < 0.001) between serum vitamin D levels and the SCORAD index. Our findings suggest that low serum vitamin D levels may have a more substantial impact on AD severity than atopic conditions and eosinophilia. Furthermore, we observed a negative association between the severity of AD and serum 25(OH)D3 levels.

Evaluation of Autografts Used in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Terms of Tensile Strength

Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries increase the likelihood of chronic knee problems in later years, including early onset osteoarthritis. Therefore, ACL treatment is important in preventing knee problems from developing. The treatment of choice for ACL tears is surgery (ACL reconstruction), and the most popular tendons for ACL reconstruction are the patellar tendon, hamstring tendon (semitendinosus and gracilis tendons), and bone-patellar tendon-bone. The present study compares the tensile strength of autografts used in ACL reconstruction to identify the optimum autograft for ACL in terms of mechanical properties. Methods Cadavers were dissected, and the Achilles tendons, quadriceps tendons, hamstring tendons (semitendinosus and gracilis tendons), patellar tendon grafts, and ACLs were harvested. Tensile tests of each tendon graft were performed using a Shimadzu Autograph AG-IS 100 kN tester (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan). Results The mean difference in tensile strength between ACL and other grafts was lowest for the quadriceps in both males and females (p ˂ 0.001), meaning that ACL and quadriceps grafts are more compatible than other tendon grafts in terms of tensile strength. Conclusion The present study found the lowest mean difference in tensile strength to be between the ACL and the quadriceps tendon, suggesting that the use of the quadriceps tendon in ACL reconstruction will yield more positive outcomes.