Metatarsalgia in Metatarsus Adductus Patients: A Rational Approach

Metatarsus adductus (MA) is a congenital condition resulting in adduction of the forefoot at the tarsometatarsal joint, medial metatarsal deviation, supination of the hindfoot through the subtalar joint, and plantarflexed first ray. The exact underlying pathophysiology remains elusive. There is increasing evidence highlighting the importance of recognizing MA as an associated deformity that complicates management of hallux valgus (HV). Unfortunately, metatarsalgia and lesser toe pathology is also common in this population. We present a review regarding the epidemiology, pathomechanics, and a comprehensive surgical treatment algorithm to optimize the management of patients with MA, HV, lesser toe deformity, and metatarsalgia.

Gastrocnemius Recession in the Setting of Metatarsalgia: The Baumann Procedure

A fundamental etiologic component of metatarsalgia is the repetitive loading of a locally concentrated force in the forefoot during gait. In the setting of an isolated gastrocnemius contracture, weight-bearing pressure is shifted toward the forefoot. If metatarsalgia is considered an entity more than a symptom, evaluation of gastrocnemius contracture must be a part of the physical examination, and gastrocnemius recession via the Baumann procedure alone, or in combination with other procedures, considered as an alternative treatment in an attempt to restore normal foot biomechanics.

A comparison of two podiatric protocols for metatarsalgia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) forefoot involvement causes disability and metatarsalgia. Our objective was to evaluate, in RA and OA patients, the efficacy of two protocols combining insoles in polypropylene terephtalate (PPT) and custom silicone orthoses for toes on disability and metatarsalgia.

METHODS

Twenty-four women (13 with OA, 11 with RA) with metatarsalgia were treated with two protocols: group A (protocol A) wore PPT insoles (T1) for 30 days and for another 30 days silicone orthosis for toes were added (T2). Group B (protocol B) wore PPT insoles and silicone orthosis (T1) for 30 days and in the following 30 days only insoles (T2). At T0, T1 and T2, pain, disability and function (Foot Function Index - FFI), pressure (KPA) and plantar contact areas (cm2) (baropodometer), and gait spatial-temporal parameters (GAITRite®) were assessed.

RESULTS

At T0 versus T2, both protocols reduced FFI-pain, -disability and -functional limitation (p<0.05), with better results of protocol A than protocol B (p<0.05) for FFI-pain and -disability. Both protocols reduced baropodometer foot plantar pressures (p<0.001), with better results for protocol A for right foot pressures (p<0.05) and increased foot contact areas (p<0.05), with no difference between them (p=NS). Gait parameters were not significantly changed by both protocols (p=NS).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with RA and OA with metatarsalgia, the synergic action of silicone toe orthosis and PPT insoles improves FFI, reduces foot plantar pressures and increases foot plantar contact areas. Protocol A, using firstly insoles and then adding silicone toe orthoses, is the more efficacious.

Transfer metatarsalgia post hallux valgus surgery

Metatarsalgia, pain around the metatarsophalangeal joints, may arise from mechanical causes spontaneously or iatrogenically. Nonunion or malunion of the first metatarsal can transfer weight-bearing forces and overload the lesser metatarsals. Transfer metatarsalgia after failed hallux valgus surgery is troublesome and more prevalent than would be expected. Clinical examination of the patient allows identifying the type of transfer metatarsalgia and pathomechanics involved. This review focuses on transfer metatarsalgia after hallux valgus surgery and provides a basic understanding of the pathomechanics, clinical examination, and image studies. It also addresses the options for both conservative and surgical treatment of this challenging condition.

[Correlative analysis on metatarsalgia and the X-ray measurement indexes under weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing of hallux valgus]

OBJECTIVE

To study changes in the radiographic appearance during weight-bearing and non-weigh-bearing in hallux valgus, and to analyse the correlation between the elasticity of plantar soft tissue of hallux valgus and the pain under the metatarsal head.

METHODS

From May 2012 to October 2012, 240 feet of 120 patients with hallux valgus were enrolled in the study. The degrees of the pian under the metatarsal head of all the patients were observed. AP and lateral X-ray films of feet were taken on the condition of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing. So the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and second metatarsals (IM1-2), the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and fifth metatarsals (IM1-5), top angle of the medial longitudinal arch (TAOTMLA),and anterior angle of the medial longitudinal arch (AAOTMLA) were measured on the X-ray films. The differences of HVA, IM1-2, IM1-5, TAOTMLA and AAOTMLA between two groups were compared, and the correlation between the changes of IM1-2, IM 1-5, TAOTMLA, AAOTMLA and the degree of the pain under the metatarsal head were analysed.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight feet had the pain under the metatarsal head. The IM1-2, IM1-5 and TAOTMLA increased on weight-bearing position compared with those on non-weight-bearing position, but the HVA and AAOTMLA decreased on weight-bearing position compared with those on non-weight-bearing position. There was a moderate relationship between the changes of IM 1-2,IM1-5 and the degree of the hallux valgus deformity, as well as the relationship between the different of IM1-5 and the degree of the pian under the metatarsal head.

CONCLUSION

The degree of the collapse of the arch of foot with hallux valgus becomes serious with its deformity increasing. The pain under the metatarsal head of hallux valgus increases with the increased changes of IM 1-2,IM 1-5 and TAOTMLA. Analysis of the X-ray observation indexes of hallux valgus on weight-bearing position and non-weight-bearing position has important significance in evaluating the degree of the collapse of the arch of foot with hallux valgus,preventing and curing the the pain under the metatarsal head.

Metatarsalgia, lesser toe deformities, and associated disorders of the forefoot

Forefoot pain in the adult often alters mobility and has a negative impact on quality of life. Metatarsalgia describes pain localized to the forefoot. Forefoot pain may be caused by conditions of the lesser toes themselves (eg, hammertoes, mallet toes, claw toes). The pathophysiology of lesser toe deformities is complex and is affected by the function of intrinsic and extrinsic muscle units. In addition to lesser toe and metatarsal abnormality, forefoot pain can be attributed to interdigital neuritis, disorders of the plantar skin, and gastrocsoleus contracture. Treatment of these conditions may include shoe modifications, appliances, therapeutic exercises, and surgical repair.

[Metatarsalgia and neuropathies of the foot. Differential diagnosis]

INTRODUCTION

Metatarsalgia is the main symptom of a group of frequent ailments characterised by pain in the balls of the feet. Clinical knowledge and the availability of efficient complementary examinations are useful tools for the neurologist.

AIM

To describe the range of processes related with metatarsalgia and a basic diagnostic schema that allows the aetiology to be differentiated.

DEVELOPMENT

We perform an elementary review of the neurological anatomy of the foot and outline the different neuropathies affecting the region, as well as the extra neurological processes that could call for a differential diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Familiarity with the pathologies responsible for metatarsalgias, whether they are neurological or not, is an enriching element for the diagnosis and management of these patients, as well as for greater efficiency in the referral among the medical professionals involved.

Surgery of the central rays

The purpose of this article is to address the isolated causes of osseous central metatarsalgia that are related to an elongated metatarsal and brachymetatarsalgia. The authors focus on surgically addressing shortened and elongated metatarsals, surgical complications, and revisional surgery.

Testing the proficiency to distinguish locations with elevated plantar pressure within and between professional groups of foot therapists

Background

Identification of locations with elevated plantar pressures is important in daily foot care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, metatarsalgia and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the proficiency of podiatrists, pedorthists and orthotists, to distinguish locations with elevated plantar pressure in patients with metatarsalgia.

Methods

Ten podiatrists, ten pedorthists and ten orthotists working in The Netherlands were asked to identify locations with excessively high plantar pressure in three patients with forefoot complaints. Therapists were instructed to examine the patients according to the methods used in their everyday clinical practice. Regions could be marked through hatching an illustration of a plantar aspect. A pressure sensitive platform was used to quantify the dynamic bare foot plantar pressures and was considered as 'Gold Standard' (GS). A pressure higher than 700 kPa was used as cut-off criterion for categorizing peak pressure into elevated or non-elevated pressure. This was done for both patient's feet and six separate forefoot regions: big toe and metatarsal one to five. Data were analysed by a mixed-model ANOVA and Generalizability Theory.

Results

The proportions elevated/non-elevated pressure regions, based on clinical ratings of the therapists, show important discrepancies with the criterion values obtained through quantitative plantar pressure measurement. In general, plantar pressures in the big toe region were underrated and those in the metatarsal regions were overrated. The estimated method agreement on clinical judgement of plantar pressures with the GS was below an acceptable level: i.e. all intraclass correlation coefficient's equal or smaller than .60. The inter-observer agreement for each discipline demonstrated worrisome results: all below .18. The estimated mutual agreements showed that there was virtually no mutual agreement between the professional groups studied.

Conclusion

Identification of elevated plantar pressure through clinical evaluation is difficult, insufficient and may be potentially harmful. The process of clinical plantar pressure screening has to be re-evaluated. The results of this study point towards the merit of quantitative plantar pressure measurement for clinical practice.

The effect of foot orthoses in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of foot orthoses using the foot function index (FFI) in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during a period of 6 months.

METHODS

Thirty-six rheumatoid subjects with foot pain were examined and appropriate foot orthoses were prescribed according to each patient's needs. All the patients were evaluated 30, 90 and 180 days after the baseline visit. FFI values, daily time of wearing the orthoses and adverse effects were noted at each appointment. The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used at the initial visit to evaluate the influence of physical condition on FFI response.

RESULTS

With the use of foot orthoses, FFI values decreased in all subscales (pain, disability and activity limitation). This reduction was noted in the first month and was maintained throughout the trial. Those using EVA (ethyl-vinyl acetate; n = 28) orthoses presented results similar to those for the total group. Patients wearing made-to-measure orthoses (n = 8) exhibited higher initial FFI values and worse evolution during the trial, significant for pain and disability but not for activity limitation. Minor adverse reactions were noted; none required interruption of treatment. There was no relation between HAQ and FFI evolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Foot orthoses were effective as an adjuvant in the management of rheumatoid foot. They significantly reduced pain, disability and activity limitation, as measured by the FFI, with minor adverse effects.

Soldier load carriage: historical, physiological, biomechanical, and medical aspects

This study reviews historical and biomedical aspects of soldier load carriage. Before the 18th century, foot soldiers seldom carried more than 15 kg while on the march, but loads have progressively risen since then. This load increase is presumably due to the weight of weapons and equipment that incorporate new technologies to increase protection, firepower, communications, and mobility. Research shows that locating the load center of mass as close as possible to the body center of mass results in the lowest energy cost and tends to keep the body in an upright position similar to unloaded walking. Loads carried on other parts of the body result in higher energy expenditures: each kilogram added to the foot increases energy expenditure 7% to 10%; each kilogram added to the thigh increases energy expenditure 4%. Hip belts on rucksacks should be used whenever possible as they reduce pressure on the shoulders and increase comfort. Low or mid-back load placement might be preferable on uneven terrain but high load placement may be best for even terrain. In some tactical situations, combat load carts can be used, and these can considerably reduce energy expenditure and improve performance. Physical training that includes aerobic exercise, resistance training targeted at specific muscle groups, and regular road marching can considerably improve road marching speed and efficiency. The energy cost of walking with backpack loads increases progressively with increases in weight carried, body mass, walking speed, or grade; type of terrain also influences energy cost. Predictive equations have been developed, but these may not be accurate for prolonged load carriage. Common injuries associated with prolonged load carriage include foot blisters, stress fractures, back strains, metatarsalgia, rucksack palsy, and knee pain. Load carriage can be facilitated by lightening loads, improving load distribution, optimizing load-carriage equipment, and taking preventive action to reduce the incidence of injury.

Metatarsalgia in hallux valgus deformity: a pedographic analysis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the plantar loading patterns in patients with hallux valgus (HV) with and without symptoms of metatarsalgia in order to find predictive pressure variabilities which are likely to result in metatarsalgia. Two groups of subjects (100 feet) volunteered for this study. Both groups provided the diagnosis of HV deformity. Group A (50 feet) exhibited a metatarsalgia symptomatology, whereas group B was asymptomatic. Plantar loading patterns were assessed using the two-step method and data were collected by the use of a capacitive pressure measurement platform. For each patient, 10 acceptable trials were collected. For the analysis, the foot was divided into six plantar regions: heel, midfoot, medial forefoot, lateral forefoot, medial toe, and lateral toe. Maximal peak pressure (PP, N/cm2), pressure-time integral (P/T integral, N/cm2*s), and force-time integral (%) were calculated. In group A, loading patterns (PP, P/T integral) of the lateral forefoot were significantly higher than in group B. The mediolateral pressure transfer from the big toe to the lateral metatarsal region was significantly greater in group A compared to group B. Regarding the lateral forefoot, a pressure time integral < 10 N/cm2*s was indicative of asymptomatic HV feet, whereas in symptomatic HV feet, a pressure time integral >28 N/cm2*s was observed. These results were statistically significant at the p < .01 level.