Foot/ankle conditions Flashcards
Noninsertional achilles tendinopathy
Pathology that occurs 2-6cm above insertion
Insetional achilles tendinopathy
Pathology at insertion
Clinical presentation of insertional/noninsertional achilles tendinopathy
Tendon typically swollen, insidious onset of symptoms
In primary stage Pt complain of P following exercise, can develop into P after any activity
Limited dorsiflexion
Treatment of insertional/noninsertional achilles tendinopathy
Conservative treatment initially started, typically consists of training modification, RICE, NSAIDs, occasionally immobilisation boot needed
Small heel lift or shock-absorbing orthotic can reduce symptoms
Achilles tendon rupture
Most common tendinous rupture in lower extremity
Peak incidence 30-50, middle aged athletes
Sudden pain with audible pop
Common to have more dysfunction than P- will be unable to plantarflex ankle
Refer if- definite rupture, +ve calf sqeuuze test
Causes of ankle sprains
Athletic activities, vast majority involve lateral side
ATFL weakest lateral ligament- most likely to be torn
Medial- damage to deltoid ligament, primarily resists eversion
Age groups affected by ankle sprains
15-19
Clinical presentation of ankle sprain
Vast majority involve lateral side
Rare to see medial sprain
Grade 3 most severe/disabling- often cannot tolerate weight bearing, instability, P on physical assessment, usually describe ‘pop’ sound
Need to identify + localise injured bone and/or soft tissue structures
Acute swelling + ecchymosis occurs instantly after
Prognosis of ankle sprain
Prevention preferred over treatment
Taping, bracing, proper athletic shoe wear, and specific training schedules to address strengthening
Usually heal after RICE
Immobilisation in removable walker or crutches will suffice- longer if grade 3
Rehab important
Return to play around 6-8 weeks, if no improvement rethink diagnosis
Grade 3 sprain
Severe brusing on both sides- rule out #
Difficulty seeing Achilles tendon due to swelling
Tenderness both sides
Complete tearing of ligaments
Marked instability, unable to weight bear
Almsot complete loss of ROM
Epidemiology of fibula fracture
Often occur because of rotational ankle injury
Low energy injury, such as twisting + falling on ankle
Obesity + history of smoking has been correlated
Age groups affected by fibular fracture
Over 65
Risk factors of fibular fracture
Must ask about comorbid conditions (diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, malnutrition, and tobacco use- important to know as may impact healing period
Clinical presentation of fibular fracture
Acute swelling + P
Limited ROM depending on degree of swelling + P
Check for underlying vascular disease of neuropathy- may be neurological compromise if dislocation of ankle, often stretch to peripheral nerves
Proximal leg tenderness, no clear visible ankle swelling may indicate high fibular fracture
Prognosis of fibular fracture
Most nondisplaced ankle fractures do not require surgery
Diabetics require 2x healing time
Non-weight bearing for 6 weeks, short leg cast, foot in neutral
Full healing will take 3-4 months
PT to start after 8 weeks, provided Pt not experiencing P
Often continued for additional 6 weeks
Retrocalcaneal bursitis
Tissue located between achilles and back of calcaneus
Bursa is horseshoe shaped, 4mm in width 8mm wide
Coated with layer of fibrocartilage
Epidemiology of retrocalcaneal bursitis
Often seen in athletes who train uphill, due to extreme dorsiflexion
Compression from shoes
Age groups affected by retrocalcaneal bursitis
Usually in younger people, 30s
Clinical presentation of retrocalcaneal bursitis
P anterior to achilles
Inflammation of tissue ant to achilles
Haglund deformity usually associated with retrocalcaneal bursitis, enlarged, prominent portion of posterosuperior aspect of calcaneus
Dull aching P, aggravated during start-up activity
Not typically assocuated with acute onset of P- if acutely present should be concerned with achilles rupture
Prognosis of retrocalcaneal bursitis
RICE
Stretching gastroc-complex
Heel lifts= elevate heel in shoe, pad plantar aspect of heel
Modification to training
NSAIDs
If unsuccessful- short period of immobilisation in short leg cast (4-8 weeks) may reduce symptoms
Night splints can be worn to improve dorsiflexion + reduce morning start-up P
When to refer for retrocalcaneal bursitis
Unresponsive to conservative treatment, achilles tendon rupture, concomitant hindfoot/forefoot deformity
Bunion
Enlargement of medial eminence of first MTPJ, where bursa overlying can be inflamed
Hallux valgus
Deformity that involves subluxation of 1st metatarsophalangeal Jt resulting in medial deviation of first metatarsal + corresponding lateral deviation of great toe
Epidemiology of bunions/hallux deformity
Genetic predisposition
Shoes
Age groups affected by hallux valgus
30-50
More prevalent in females due to type of shoes
Clinical presentation of of bunions/hallux valgus
P + deformity of first MTP Jt
Increasingly large bump over first MTP Jt
Complaints of how shoe fits
More symptomatic throughout day
Prognosis of bunions/hallux valgus
Conservative- accommodate deformity, alleviate symptoms, shoe wear modification
Night splints, custom orthotic inserts, bunion pads, and spacers may be useful
Surgical options post conservative
Metatarsalgia epidemiology
History of gradual, chronic, onset rather than acute, traumatic presentation
P usually occurs from prolonged weightbearing activities such as walking, standing and running
Risk factors of metatarsalgia
Excess weight
Shoes
Morton’s neuroma
Foot deformities
Clinical presentation of metatarsalgia
P on ball of foot
Onset is gradual
Tenderness to palpation at dorsal, central +/or plantar aspect of affected lesser MTPJ
Are of thickened skin/callus at affected JT
Assess ROM of MTPJ
Prognosis of metatarsalgia
Alleviate P by decreasing weight bearing
Advised to modify shoe wear + avoid narrow toe box + high heels
Use metatarsal pad to shift pressure
When to refer metatarsalgia
Progressive deformity that fails surgical treatment, Pt with recalcitrant P that fails nonsurgical treatment
Plantar fasciitis
Band of fibrous tissue extending from plantar calcaneal tuberosity to flexor tendon expansion in forefoot
Supports longitudinal arch of foot
Risk factors/epidemiology of plantar fasciitis
Obesity
Work related weight bearing
Decreased ankle dorsiflexion
Runners/athletes more prone, repetitive microtrauma to fascia
Clinical presentation of plantar fasciitis
Heel P
Start up P is classic complaint with worse symptoms upon getting out of bed
Usually non-radiating, abates with rest
Stance may reveal foot deformity such as pes planus/cavus
P often exacerbated when toes are passively dorsiflexed (stretches fascia)
Neurological exam necessary to rule out neuropathy from diabetes, radiculopathy or nerve root compression
Prognosis of plantar fasciitis
Nonsurgical
Benefits from 3-4 weeks of immobilisation in short leg cast
Well-padded shoes, inserts, night splints, stretching gastroc + plantar fascia
Length of treatment varies
Plantar fasciitis DDx
Calcaneal stress #
Interdigital neuritis
Refers to symptoms caused by painful branches of common digital nerves most often in second or third web spoces of foot
Epidemiology of interdigital neuritis
Traction of metatarsal ligament compresses nerve during normal gait, leaving it susceptible to irritation or direct trauma
Age groups affected by interdigital neuritis
Middle aged women- history of wearing shoes with narrow toe box or high heels
Clinical presentation of interdigital neuritis
Pin point burning P in second/third web space, worsened by shoe wear
Symptoms often alleviated by removing shoes + massaging toes
May report decreased sensations
P with palpation of plantar surface or lesser metatarsal head + of skin
Reproducible P with palpation of second/third interspace
Prognosis of interdigital neuritis
Goal of treatment is to alleviate pressure on nerve
Shoe modification- wide toe box, smaller heel
Orthotic or insole with metatarsal pads placed directly behind interspace allows separation of metatarsal heads, thereby protecting nerve from pressure during walking
NSAIDs will provide some benefits
Congenital talipes (idiopathic club foot) epidemiology
Cause unknown
Evidence of chromosomal defect, arrested development in utero, or an embryonic event such as vascular injury
Age groups affected by congenital talipes idiopahtic club foot
Incidence of 1-3 per 1000 births
Boys 2x more likely than girls
Risk factors of congenital talipes
Family history increases risk by 20-30 times
Boy
Spina bifida
Clinical presentation of congenital talipes
Foot curved downwards and inwards, ankle in equinus, heel in varus, forefoot adducted, flexed and supinated
Skin and soft tissue of calf and medial boarder of lateral foot are short + underdeveloped
Deformity obvious at birth
Heel small and high
Assess for associated disorders- hip dislocation, spina bifida
Prognosis of congenital talipes
Treatment should be early, preferably within few hours of birth
Repeated manipulation and adhesive strapping
Once corrected, splintage in de-rotation boot is followed until child is 3