Foot Problems Flashcards
What are the features of calcanea fractures?
Fall from a height
Associated with hip, pelvic and spinal injuries
Extra-articular/intra-articular
Devastating injury
What is the treatment of an injury of Lisfranc’s joint/ligament?
Symptomatic treatment
Can be slow to heal
What are the causes of hallux valgus?
Genetics
Females > Males
Bad shoes
What can hallux valgus result in?
Painful bunions, metatarsalgia, over-riding toes and problems with shoes
What should the angle between the first and second metatarsals be?
< 10 degrees
What is the primary problem in hallux valgus?
The relationship (angle) between the metatarsals
What is the aim of treatment of hallux valgus?
To bring the metatarsals closer together - this in turn will normalise shape of the foot
What are the features of hallux rigidus?
Osteoarthritis at the first MTP joint X-ray changes of osteoarthritis Narrowing of joint space Subchondral cysts Subchondral sclerosis Osteophyte formation
Painful condition which follows pre-existing joint stiffness
What is a reliable treatment of hallux rigidus?
Surgical fusion
What are the features of metatarsalgia?
Symptoms alone not enough to make a diagnosis
Multiple causes
Pain around metatarsal heads
Callus formation common
Commonly treated with cushioned insoles, surgery less reliable
What are the causes of metatarsalgia?
Arthritis Instability - hammer and claw toes leading to dislocation Morton's neuroma Trauma - stress fractures Ill-fitting footwear
What are the features of pes planus (flat foot)?
Physiological problem - joint laxity, knock knee
Acquired - paralysis, tendon rupture
Can be flexible or immobile flat feet
What are the causes of high arches?
Pes cavus
Metatarsalgia
Clawed toes
What are the features of high arches?
Often bilateral
Associated with neurological disorders e.g. peroneal muscle atrophy
May be asymptomatic
What are the common pathologies of the diabetic foot?
Peripheral vascular disease
Neuropathy
Osteoporosis
Infection
