Foot Flashcards
What is tarsal coalition?
Abnormal connection that develops between the talus and calcaneus at the back of the foot
Can be composed of bone, cartilage or fibrous tissue
Can lead to limited motion and pain
Presentation of tarsal coalition
Can present as rigid pronated FLAT foot in the early teens
What can foot pain in children be associated with?
Congenital abnormalities such as equinovarus abnormality (club foot) - these structural abnormalities can reflect underlying neurological disease such as cerebral palsy
What is club foot associated with
Cerebral palsy
Which joints are most commonly affected in JCA
Knee and ankle joints - in all subtypes of JCA
What is metatarsalgia?
Pain in the forefoot
What is another name for Morton’s metatarsalgia?
Interdigital neuroma
What does mortons neuroma affect?
It affects the proximal part of the plantar digital nerve and accompanying plantar digital artery
How does Morton’s neuroma develop?
Trauma to the PD nerve - trapped nerve under transverse ligaments (and artery) leads to inflammatory oedema, microscopic changes, fibrosis and lateral degeneration of the nerve - the pain arrives from entrapment of the interdigital nerve
Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma?
Gradual onset, sudden attacks of neuralgic pain or paraesthesia during walking
Often in 3rd and 4th toe
Investigation findings in Mortons neuroma
May show lesser toe deformities, slight splaying of the forefoot, abnormal pronation and hallux valgus (bunion)
What is a bunion?
It is hallux valgus, medial protrusion and inflammation of the 1st MTP joint
May be present in women who wear court shoes
Management of Mortons neuroma
Advice about suitable footwear and possibly orthoses to control abnormal pronation
Injections of local anaesthetic and hydracortisone around the nerve or surgical excision (leads to loss of sensation)
What are forefoot stress/march fractures ? where?
Fractures associated with increased activity - lesions can affect any of the metatarsal shafts and are often along the line of the surgical neck
Typical history of a patient with a stress fracture in the forefoot?
History of change in amount of activity, occupation or foot wear
Or sudden weight gain
Symptoms of forefoot stress fracture?
Dull ache along the affected metatarsal shaft
This changes to a sharp ache just behind the metatarsal head
Pain exacerbated by exercise - more acute at “toe off”
Signs in forefoot stress fracture?
Tenderness and swelling over dorsal surface of shaft
Pain produced by compression of metatarsal head or traction of the toe
Examination of forefoot stress fracture?
Might not show up on x-ray for 2-4 weeks but if need to confirm a diagnosis then bone scan can be done
Treatment of forefoot stress fracture
Rest and local protective padding with partial immobilisation
What is Freibergs disease?
Avascular necrosis of metatarsal head which commonly affects the first metatarsal
What is acute synovitis in the forefoot
Normally caused by acute trauma - leads to inflammation of the synovial membrane and effusion
Can also be caused by systemic disease such as RA or infection
Who is often affected by acute synovitis in the forefoot
Young adults
Rare in children
Symptoms of forefoot acute synovitis
Sudden onset painful throbbing made worse by movement on the background of a history of trauma
Fusiform swelling may be present and crepitus may be felt
Treatment of forefoot acute synovitis
Rest, immobilisation and US treatment may help in trauma is the cause
Anti-inflammatories can help
What causes acute inflammation of the anterior metatarsal soft tissue
Commonly in middle-aged women, where there is increased shear forces eg. from wearing slip on or high-heeled court shoes
Symptoms of acute inflammation of the anterior metatarsal soft tissue
Burning of throbbing in forefoot anterior to metatarsal heads - usually develops over weeks and is related to wearing a pair of shoes - relieved by rest