5 week Post Op Patient Testimony after peroneal tendonitis and os perone...

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Achilles Tendon Surgery Testimony with Dr. Wellens

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC101 6th Street N.W.Winter Haven, FL 33881Phone: 863-299-4551http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

4 months Post-Op Torn Ligament Surgery with Dr Wellens

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC101 6th Street N.W.Winter Haven, FL 33881Phone: 863-299-4551http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Post-Op Tumor and Heel Pain Surgery with Dr Wellens

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC101 6th Street N.W.Winter Haven, FL 33881Phone: 863-299-4551http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Post op Plantar Fasciitis testimony only 12 days after surgery with Dr ...

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center101 6th St Nw Winter Haven, Fl 33881Phone: (863) 299-4551www.FLFootandAnkle.com

50 million Americans have toenail fungus. You don't have to be one of them

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC101 6th Street N.W.Winter Haven, FL 33881Phone: 863-299-4551http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction and Adult-Acquired Flatfoot

The posterior tibial tendon is one of the major supporting structures of the foot.  It functions to help add stability to the arch, and assists in normal gait fuction.  Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is a condition caused by changes in the tendon, leading to a loss of this stability and a flattening of the arch of the foot. 

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or PTTD, is often referred to as “adult-acquired flatfoot”.  This is because PTTD is the most common cause of flatfootedness in adults.  The condition can occur in one or both of the feet.  PTTD is usually a progressive condition, meaning that the arch will continue to flatten and the symptoms will worsen over time if not addressed. 

PTTD is most often attributed to overuse of the tendon, although there may be other contributing factors.  Inflammatory arthropathies such as rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to it’s development, as well as injuries to the foot and ankle, or other bony abnormalities of the foot. 

Symptoms of PTTD may include pain, swelling, or redness around the posterior tibial tendon.  This is located on the medial side of the foot and ankle.  As the condition progresses, pain may also develop in the arch of the foot or the ankle.  Arthritis of the joints of the foot and ankle may develop overtime, leading to worsening symptoms. 

The diagnosis of PTTD or adult-acquired flatfoot is largely a clinical diagnosis.  On physical examination, the pain may be localized to one or more of the effected areas.  The arch of the foot will usually appear flattened, and the forefoot may be abducted, or shifted laterally, in relation to the rearfoot.  This is known as the “too many toes” sign, as the examiner will be able to see more of the toes from behind the patient on the affected side than on the non-affected side.  Patients with PTTD may also have a difficult time rising to their toes on the affected side, especially when asked to rise to their toes using only one leg. 

X-rays are typically taken to rule out other potential causes of pain, such as arthritis, fractures, or dislocations.  They also serve as a baseline study to monitor the progression of the foot and ankle, should the symptoms worsen over time.  If a tear of the tendon is suspected, an MRI may be useful in determining the extent of the tendon tear. 

Treatment for PTTD will typically begin with conservative treatment.  This will involve things such as orthotics and other types of braces, anti-inflammatroy medications, and periods of rest and ice.  For patients with a painful flare-up of symptoms, a period of immobilization may be beneficial.  This would involve the use of a cast or immobilizing cast boot to protect the foot and ankle.  If some of the symptoms are related to arthritis of the nearby joints, such as the subtalar joint or ankle, a cortisone injection may be beneficial to relieve some of the pain. 

Surgical intervention may be warranted if conservative treatment fails, or is deemed to not be helping enough in managing pain and function.  Surgical treatment will vary depending on the symptoms, and the extent of foot and ankle deformity.  For patients with symptoms isolated to the tendon and not involving the surrounding joints, the foot and ankle surgeon may recommend “cleaning up the tendon” and restoring as much normal anatomy as possible to the tendon.  This is a procedure that is as minimally invasive as possible for these types of complaints.

For patients with more advanced pathology, a variety of approaches may be used.  Surgical techniques may involve repositioning the calcaneus (heel bone), shifting tendons in the foot, and repositioning the bones and joints of the midfoot to recreate a more functional foot.  Of course, these methods can vary greatly between patients, and depend on a number of factors.  Factors such as the patient’s lower extremity anatomy, age, weight, and overall health status should be considered in the pre-operative work-up. 

Surgical reconstruction of the foot and ankle is not without risk, and a thorough conversation should be had between the patient and doctor before surgery can be considered.  Time off of work, time to heal, and post-operative expectations of all parties should be discussed.  

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 
101 6th Street N.W. 
Winter Haven, FL 33881 
Phone: 863-299-4551 
www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Predislocation Syndrome

Metatarsalgia is a general term that is used to refer to pain in the metatarsal heads of the foot. This is the area of the metatarsal that forms the proximal half of the metatarsal-phalangeal (MTP) joints, which are the joints that connect the toes to the rest of the foot.  Pain underneath the second metatarsal head is a common clinical presentation. 

Pain in the second metatarsal most commonly occurs in the presence of hallux limits.  Hallux limitus is a condition in which the first metatarsophalangeal joint (the joint that connects the big toe to the rest of the foot) does not have the appropriate amount of motion required for normal function.  When there is not enough motion available in the first MTP joint, the ground reactive forces are transferred to the lateral, smaller MTP joints.  Most often, it is the second MTP joint that takes the brunt of this force.

If the second toe has a hammer digit deformity, in which the joints of the small toe remain contracted, it can exacerbate the problem.  When a hammer toe is present, the metatarsal head is pointed down towards the ground, or plantarflexed.  This plantarflexed position of the metatarsal adds to the amount of force.  Equinus deformities, in which the ankle joint is tight, can also contribute to the problem by placing additional pressure on the forefoot.  The pain will be especially great when the patient walks down stairs, as they lead with their toes. 

When this second metatarsalgia is present for a long period of time, a condition known as predislocation syndrome may occur.  This is most commonly described in the second toe, though it may be seen in any of the lesser digits.  Predislocation syndrome occurs when the plantar plate, which is a portion of the joint capsule, becomes damaged.  This damage can attenuate, or thin out, the structure.  This attenutation can lead to joint instability, and can cause the second toe to end up pointing upwards and medially or laterally.  Thus, the condition is also sometimes referred to as a crossover toe deformity, as the second toe may overalp the first or third toes. 

The diagnosis of predislocation syndrome is largely made using clinical judgement, though x-rays are necessary to rule out any underlying pathology, such as fractures or complete dislocations.  An MRI may also be ordered, though it is not always necessary.  The MRI will show the ordering physician whether the plantar plate is torn, attenuated, or if there is any other potential pathology causing the deformity. 

Initial treatment typically involves icing the affected area, rest, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.  Orthotics may be used to manipulate the position of the foot while walking or running, and various strapping and padding methods may alleviate some of the pain. 

Surgery becomes warranted if there is a failure of conservative therapy.  Typically surgery will address any bony deformities of the foot first, such as hammer digits, metatarsals that are functionally too long, or other problems.  In the case of concomitant hallux limitus, procedures of the first MTP joint may be required to restore normal function to that joint and to take pressure off of the second MTP joint. 

When the plantar plate is ruptured or damaged, that too can be repaired with a direct approach.  This has traditionally been done through an approach through the bottom of the foot, though it has recently been described as being repaired through the top of the foot.  

 Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 

101 6th Street N.W. 

Winter Haven, FL 33881 

Phone: 863-299-4551 

www.FLFootandAnkle.com

New Implant Technology Under Investigation

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have published an early study on the use of nanodiamonds in joint implants.  The investigators seek to find if the nanodiamonds can improve the metallic interface of the joints, which can often shed debris and cause problems within the body. 

            When metallic debris is created within a joint that has had an implant placed in it, it triggers the body’s immune system.  This can cause a cascade of events, which includes increasing the activity of bone-eating cells near the implant.  When these cells have increased activity, it can cause the implant to loosed, which is a major cause of implant failure. 

            Using a nanodiamond coating, the reaserchers have found, causes less debris to form, which in theory could improve implant success rates.  This is important, because the amount of implants used in America alone is tremendous.  Over 400,000 knee implants and over 325,000 hip implants are placed in Americans every year, not to mention the number of implants used in other parts of the body. 

            Joint implants of the foot and ankle are often used in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, lesser metatarsophalangeal joints, and in the ankle.  Should the nanodiamond technology catch on in the hip and knee implants, it will almost certainly be applied to foot and ankle implants. 

            Much more knowledge of the effect of nanodiamond particles on the body is needed before this technology can be used in humans. While the nanodiamond coating may eliminate the metallic debris that is formed, the constant pressure and grinding forces placed through joint implants can still cause a small amount of the diamond nanoparticle coating to become loose.  The effect of this debris in the body must be known before it can be applied.  Currently, animal models are being used to investigate this. 

            Of course, what is not discussed alongside the research is the cost of such technology.  The cost of using a diamond nanoparticle will almost certainly increase the cost of the implant.  This should be balanced with the increase in success rates seen.  There would need to be a significant increase in implant success rates to begin implementing this technology.  But even if the cost of the implant is increased, if the success rates are in fact much higher, it will most likely decrease the cost of care, lessening the need for secondary and revisionary surgery, and increase the patient satisfaction following surgery.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 
101 6th Street N.W. 
Winter Haven, FL 33881 
Phone: 863-299-4551 
www.FLFootandAnkle.com

How is a Bunion Fixed?

One of the most common surgical procedures that a podiatrist performs is bunion correction.  Bunions are a result of hallux abducto valgus, a deformity of the foot that leads to increased pressure at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.  Bunions can become extremely painful, and can limit a person’s activity level and restrict them to only certain types of shoes.  Conservative therapy can help to alleviate some of the symptoms of bunions, but even the best methods of strapping and bracing do not correct the problem.  Surgical correction of hallux abducto valgus and the bunion associated with the deformity is paramount to treatment.

A small incision is made along the medial side of the metatarsaophalangeal joint, where the bunion is.  This incision site is then deepened until the joint is reached, being careful to avoid the nerves and veins that run in the area.  Once the joint is reached, the joint capsule can be cut to access the bone.

The surgical approach to bunions most commonly involves an osteotomy, or cutting of the bones, at the head of the first metatarsal.  This is the part of the metatarsal that is closest to the joint.  By cutting the metatarsal, the operating surgeon is able to reposition the head of the metatarsal in a more functional position, thus eliminating the bunion.  The bone is then fixed with one or two screws, which keep the two pieces of the bone in place while it can heal.  Any remaining bone in the area that may be prominent or painful is also removed.

Some other approaches to bunions may involve simply removing the painful bump, repositioning the metatarsal head to gain more motion at the joint, or the use of joint implants.  Some bone cuts may be positioned further away from the joint, which allows for a greater correction of a more significant bunion.  A number of different surgical osteotomies have been used over the years.

A lateral release may be performed as well, which is when the tendons on the lateral side of the metatarsophalangeal joint are cut.  The tendons that course through the foot and function at the first metatarsophalangeal joint often become contracted in the presence of hallux abducto valgus.  These structures are cut in order to reposition the toe in a more straightened position. 

Following all of the corrective procedures in bunion surgery, the final step is to close everything up, layer by layer.  The joint capsule is often closed using a technique to tighten it, as the once prominent joint has now been removed.  This leaves an excess of tissue that should be addressed.  The skin is then closed with suture, and stitches may be left in for two or three weeks.  Some sutures are absorbable, and there is no need to take them out. 

After the surgery, the patient is usually placed in a bandage and a surgical shoe, which they are allowed to walk in.  Patients receiving bunion surgery are instructed to only walk a little bit, and to keep the foot elevated most of the time.  This is done so that the body has time to heal the surgical wounds that have been created.  They are typically seen in the podiatrist’s office following the surgery, or in some sort of follow-up clinic. 

Some amount of pain and swelling is to be expected following surgery, as the surgery itself can be rather traumatic.  This swelling should resolve after a week or so, and the pain should go away also.  Pain is usually addressed with oral pain medications.  Elevation of the foot and ice placed behind the knee or calf for fifteen minutes at a time will also help with pain and reducing swelling. 

Typically the skin will heal after two or three weeks, at which time the sutures, if necessary, can be removed.  Once the sutures are removed and the skin is healed, the patient may either continue in the surgical shoe, or return to a stiff-soled shoe or gym shoe.  Much of the post-operative treatment plan is surgeon-dependent.  The bones will typically heal in six to eight weeks.  In the post-operative period, it is common for the surgeon to obtain x-rays to evaluate the status of the bones.  This helps to determine the post-operative course.

Bunions are sometimes corrected in conjunction with other deformities of the foot, such as hammertoes or tailor’s bunions.  If there are other areas of pain in the foot besides the bunion, be sure to point them out to your doctor.

Talk to your podiatrist if you have painful bunions or any other painful foot condition.  Conservative therapy will generally be attempted first, but surgical intervention should be discussed with the operating doctor.  They will be able to fill you in on details regarding pre-operative preparation, the surgery, and the post-operative treatment protocol.  

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 
101 6th Street N.W. 
Winter Haven, FL 33881 
863-299-4551 
www.FLFootandAnkle.com