Extra-anatomic microvascular second toe transfer for creation of a helper hand �C a long-term follow-up

Mutilating hand injuries can significantly alter a patient’s life. Return to work and daily activities remain the ultimate goal. A case report and long-term follow-up of a patient who caught his hand in a generator fan at work is presented. He sustained an injury that left him with a wrist and metacarpal stump. When prostheses failed, an extra-anatomic second toe transfer was used to produce a functional distal extremity. This transfer allowed the patient to return to his job and was surprisingly durable, resulting in a useful helper hand for 15 years.     

Dupuytren's disease of the big toe

This short paper present four cases of Dupuytren's disease of the big toe.     

48例嵌趾甲的病因分析及手术治疗

目的探讨趾嵌趾甲的病因,介绍一种新的手术治疗方法。方法对1997年10月至2003年10月我科收治的趾嵌甲患者48例51趾患者均进行手术治疗,咬除末节趾骨末端爪粗隆部分,梭形切除趾端及趾甲两旁软组织。随访观察趾端及趾甲的外形、了解嵌甲复发情况。结果所有病例平均随访26个月,47例50趾嵌甲治愈,1例1趾复发,经再次手术后治愈。结论趾末节趾骨爪粗隆突上翘是形成趾嵌甲的原因之一,咬除趾骨末端爪粗隆并梭形切除趾端及甲根两旁软组织是治疗嵌甲的一种有效方法。     

Implications of low great toe pressures in clinical practice

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to observe the outcome of patients with a great toe pressure (GTP) reading of less than 40 mmHg. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2004, of 4,714 patients assessed in the Westmead Vascular Laboratory, 365 (7.7%) had GTP measurements for assessment of possible critical limb ischaemia. There were 56 limbs in 40 patients with a GTP measurement of less than 40 mmHg, and this group was studied to assess outcome factors of death, requirement for major or minor amputation, arterial reconstructive surgery, clinical stability, or documented improvement from the initial assessment. RESULTS: Patients requiring a major amputation had an average GTP of 13 mmHg and a toe brachial index (TBI) of 0.08, whereas those not undergoing a major amputation had an average GTP of 23.6 mmHg and TBI of 0.15. This association was weaker when an initial single evaluation was used as opposed to two or more serial assessments. Patients with and without a major amputation had an average ankle brachial index of 0.16 and 0.53, respectively. Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin and cerebrovascular disease were risk factors for major amputations. CONCLUSIONS: Low GTP was associated with a greater risk of major amputations. Two or more serial assessments were found to be of greater value than an initial single assessment.     

The Use of Ultrasonography to Identify the Intersection of the Dorsomedial Cutaneous Nerve of the Hallux and the Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendon: A Cadaveric Study

Terminal branches of the superficial fibular nerve are at risk of iatrogenic damage during foot surgery, including hallux valgus rigidus correction, bunionectomy, cheilectomy, and extensor hallucis longus tendon transfer. One terminal branch, the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve of the hallux, is particularly at risk of injury at its intersection with the extensor hallucis longus tendon. Iatrogenic injuries of the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve of the hallux can result in sensory loss, neuroma formation, and/or debilitating causalgia. Therefore, preoperative identification of the nerve is of great clinical importance. The present study used ultrasonography to identify the intersection between the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve of the hallux and the extensor hallucis longus tendon in cadavers. On ultrasound identification of the intersection, dissection was performed to assess the accuracy of the ultrasound screening. The method successfully pinpointed the nerve in 21 of 28 feet (75%). The sensitivity, positive likelihood ratio, and positive and negative predictive values of ultrasound identification of the junction of the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve and the extensor hallucis longus tendon were 75%, 75%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. We have described an ultrasound protocol that allows for the preoperative identification of the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve of the hallux as it crosses the extensor hallucis longus tendon. The technique could potentially be used to prevent the debilitating iatrogenic injuries known to occur in association with many common foot surgeries.     

Neglected Irreducible Dislocation of the Interphalangeal Joint of the Great Toe: A Case Report

Irreducible dorsal dislocation of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe is rare. We report a case of a 58-year-old man with an irreducible interphalangeal joint of the great toe that had been untreated for 4 years. The mechanism of this injury was thought to be a combination of axial loading with a hyperextension force when the patient hit his great toe against a pipe. Invagination of the sesamoid became a barrier for manual reduction attempted after the initial injury. The patient did not seek treatment because of the minor deformity of the affected great toe and lack of severe symptoms. One year later, symptoms eventually developed on the plantar aspect of the great toe, particularly when the patient was walking upstairs. He decided to seek treatment as pain worsened and he became more active when he changed occupations 4 years later. Manual reduction was impossible. The patient was treated with operative exploration of the joint and arthrodesis of the great toe. The operative course was uneventful. At 4 years after surgery, the patient could walk, run, and walk up and down stairs without discomfort.     

Hallux Rigidus Treated with the Swanson Silastic Hemi-Joint Prosthesis

A material of 26 patients treated for hallux rigidus using the Swanson silastic great toe implant is presented. Subjectively the results were evaluated as 88 per cent excellent or good whereas objective examination gave 84 per cent good or excellent results (80 per cent taking into account two patients who had the prosthesis removed).     

足母趾腓侧皮瓣修复手指皮肤缺损

目的介绍Mu趾腓侧皮瓣移植修复手指皮肤缺损的疗效。方法根据手指皮肤缺损部位、形状、范围在Mu趾腓背侧设计皮瓣，游离移植修复手指创面。结果所有病例全部成功，术后随访6～18个月，患指外形、感觉、运动功能均达优良。结论Mu趾腓侧皮瓣移植是修复手指皮肤缺损的较理想方法。     

The role of the great toe in balance performance

The objective of this study was to evaluate great toe function in maintaining static and dynamic balance. Correlation among great toe length, body height, and balance performance parameters were also investigated. Thirty females (aged 22.1 ± 1.9 years) were tested in two great toe conditions: unconstrained and constrained. Balance testing was done in the following order: (1) static balance, single‐leg stance with right or left foot, eyes open or closed; (2) static balance, stance with both feet, eyes open or closed; (3) dynamic balance, left/right or forward/backward, rhythmic weight shifting; and (4) dynamic balance, target reaching test, eight targets within 90% limit of stability. Significant differences were found in sway velocity between the two toe conditions with eyes open or closed in single‐leg stance (p < 0.05). No difference was found between the two conditions while standing with both feet. For rhythmic weight shifting, significant differences in sway velocity were found in toe conditions and in weight‐shifting directions (p < 0.05). As to target reaching, significance was only noted in directional control scores. Great toe length was correlated with subject's height (r = 0.553, p < 0.05). Our results indicate that constraining the great toe deteriorated the subjects' single‐leg stance performance and worsened the directional control ability during forward/backward weight shifting. The importance of the great toe in balance may be taken into account in toe amputation or transfer in the future. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 549–554, 2009     

Biomechanical abnormalities and ulcers of the great toe in patients with diabetes

A prospective analysis was conducted to identify structural and biomechanical first ray abnormalities in consecutive diabetic patients presenting with their first great toe ulcer. Twenty-six patients (33 feet) met the inclusion criteria, with seven patients having bilateral hallux ulcers. There was no other history of ulcer, trauma, or surgery on the respective limb. Data were obtained during the patients' initial presentation with a great toe ulcer and included verbal history, standardized weight bearing radiographs, and standardized objective clinical measurements. Four patients (four feet) with subungual ulcers were included because of mechanical etiology. Twenty-four of the remaining 29 involved limbs exhibited gastrocnemius/soleus equinus and two other limbs had gastrocnemius equinus. Twenty-eight of 29 had structural hallux limitus. Twenty-four had hallux interphalangeal abductus. Twenty of the 33 ulcers were located plantar-medially at the interphalangeal joint area. Other frequent findings were first ray elevatus or dorsiflexion deformity (18 of 29), functional hallux limitus (14 of 29), interphalangeal joint sesamoid bone (13 of 29), hyperextended interphalangeal joint (13 of 29), and a prominent plantar-medial condyle of the proximalaspect of the distalphalanx (7 of 29). Halluxmalleus was less common (4 of 29), but consistently associated with plantar-distal tip ulceration. Metatarsus primus adductus was also infrequent (6 of 29). This study identifies and illustrates the importance of several biomechanical and structural factors present on initial presentation of great toe ulcers. Addressing these factors may improve the success of treatment and lessen the occurrence of this common and complex problem.     

创伤性拇趾缺损的修复

目的　探讨创伤性拇趾缺损的修复方法及临床效果。方法　自 1995年 1月以来 ,应用两种皮瓣修复创伤性拇趾缺损 2 4例 ,其中应用蒂部延长的足底内侧岛状皮瓣 11例 ,远端筋膜蒂足内侧岛状皮瓣 13例。结果　 11例蒂部延长的足底内侧岛状皮瓣全部成活 ;13例远端筋膜蒂足内侧岛状皮瓣中 11例全部成活、 2例皮瓣远端皮缘少许坏死。结论　蒂部延长的足底内侧岛状皮瓣适用于修复拇趾远节和近节部分缺损的修复 ;远端筋膜蒂足内侧岛状皮瓣适用于近跖趾关节拇趾缺损的修复     

甲板及甲基质部分切除联合拇趾腹重建甲沟治疗嵌甲性甲沟炎

目的探讨甲板及甲基质部分切除联合拇趾腹重建甲沟治疗嵌甲性甲沟炎的临床疗效。方法对76例嵌甲性甲沟炎患者采用甲板及甲基质部分切除联合拇趾腹重建甲沟术治疗,评价治疗效果。结果 76例均获随访,时间8~12个月。2例复发残甲,总有效率达97.4%。结论采用甲板及甲基质部分切除联合拇趾腹重建甲沟术治疗嵌甲性甲沟炎操作简便,对趾甲损伤小,患者痛苦轻,并发症少,治愈率高。     

趾皮甲瓣和第二、三足趾联合移植再造拇、手指58例报告

目的　介绍趾皮甲瓣和第二、三足趾联合移植再造拇、手指的疗效。方法　采用趾皮甲瓣和第二、三足趾联合移植 ,为全手指缺失及包括拇指在内的多指缺失 ,再造拇指和示指或者拇指、示指和中指共 5 8例 6 4只手。结果　手术成功 5 9只手 ,失败 5只手 ,成功率 92 2 %。随访发现 ,患者均能用再造的拇、手指从事日常生活和工作中的手工操作 ,对再造拇、手指的外形也比较满意。结论　单足供趾术能用一只足为一只手再造拇指和示指 ,或者拇指、示指和中指 ,还能使双手缺失的患者有再造双手的机会。     

游离第二足趾背甲皮瓣联合(足母)趾腓侧皮瓣游离移植修复单指脱套伤

目的 探讨单指脱套伤修复的新方法.方法 2007年8月至2010年6月,应用游离第二足趾背甲皮瓣联合扩大的(足母)趾腓侧皮瓣修复单指脱套伤11例,其中示指6例,中指2例,环指3例.Ⅰ型脱套伤4例,Ⅱ型脱套伤7例.均急诊清创VSD封闭负压吸引,于伤后3～5d行手术修复.(足母)趾腓侧皮瓣内和第二足趾背甲皮瓣内的趾底神经与受区残端的指神经进行吻接.供区游离植皮.结果 11例皮瓣全部成活.术后2例第二趾背远端植皮部分坏死,后经换药愈合,1例指骨穿过存活的皮肤外露,手术截除部分外露指骨后伤口愈合.11例均获得完整随访,随访3个月～3年,皮瓣颜色正常,质地柔软,外观不臃肿、接近健侧指.11例修复脱套指原第二趾背甲皮瓣感觉恢复达S3,原(足母)趾腓侧皮瓣修复的指腹饱满,两点辨别觉为6～9mm,平均7.0 mm.手指伸屈功能按手指总主动活动度(TAM)评分法评定,优9指,良2例.结论 游离第二足趾背甲皮瓣联合扩大的(足母)趾腓侧皮瓣是修复单指脱套伤的有效方法.     

Non-vascularized free toe phalanx transfers in congenital hand deformities--the Great Ormond Street experience

Many options of varying complexity are available for the management of congenital short digits resulting from aphalangia in symbrachydactyly and constriction ring syndrome. We have used non-vascularized free toe phalanx transfers for these children when a vascularized toe transfer has been contraindicated. We describe our technique and experience with 22 children who underwent a total of 64 transfers of the proximal (35) or middle (29) toe phalanges (average 3 per child). The mean age at initial surgery was 15 months, and the mean follow-up was 5 years. Duration of time until epiphyseal closure could not be determined accurately, but total digital elongation averaged 6mm. Complications of this technique include joint instability, premature epiphyseal closure and, in one patient, infection and graft loss. Donor site deformity was determined according to measured growth deficit and toe function. This technique is a simple option for digital elongation and, if performed in the appropriate age group in short fingered and monodactylous subtypes of symbrachydactyly, has the potential to allow growth and function with minimal donor site deficit.     

Arthroscopy of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint

Arthroscopic treatments for the first metatarsophalangeal joint have not spread fully owing to a number of factors. First, in the common arthroscopic view, the joint is observed from above, which makes the structures difficult to grasp and the dorsal aspect of the joint difficult to visualize and treat. Second, techniques for widening the view have not yet been reported. Third, the portals necessary for observation and treatment with hallux sesamoids have not yet been established. Finally, techniques for detecting the sesamoids have not been previously reported. We have developed a method for first metatarsophalangeal joint arthroscopy by treating 14 patients with hallux rigidus and 9 patients with hallux sesamoid disorders. We report a new method that combines a variety of arthroscopic techniques. Our study has 4 novel points. First, in our arthroscopic technique, the joint can be examined from the medial side because traction is directly and horizontally applied to the great toe using an adjustable traction device with the surgeon standing on the unoperated side. The technique enables observation of the dorsal aspect of the metatarsal head and proximal phalanx and makes the structures easier to grasp. Second, the coagulator technique as an arthroscopic aid is demonstrated. Third, all aspects of the joint, including the sesamoids, can be observed through our 4 portals. Finally, techniques for detecting the sesamoids are identified. We believe our novel method will ensure that arthroscopy of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is easier than previously described methods.