First web space soft tissue release in bunion surgery: functional outcomes of a new technique.

Background: The current approach to soft tissue release in bunion surgery is through an incision in the dorsum of the first web space between the first and second metatarsals. However, the soft tissue release through this approach can be excessive or inadequate for the correction required. In addition, it leaves a visible scar.

Use of a patient-controlled stretching device to improve the ankle range of motion.

Background: Ankle and subtalar stiffness are widely associated with many foot and ankle conditions and functional deficits. Loss of range of motion, particularly dorsiflexion, results in significant gait dysfunction. A variety of methods have been evaluated to address this problem, including yoga, manipulation, dance training, jogging and static stretching exercises.

The use of a kickstand modification for the prevention of heel decubitus ulcers in trauma patients with lower extremity external fixation.

External fixation is frequently used to manage patients with lower extremity trauma. Excessive pressure from contact surfaces must be avoided to prevent added morbidity from heel ulcers. The purpose of this article is to present a simple solution to off-load the heel by adding a "kickstand" to the external fixator.

The "kick-off" position: a new sign for early diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome in the leg.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a clinical entity that develops after a precipitating injury. It involves dysfunction of the sensory, autonomic, and motor systems and frequently is missed on initial presentation. The purpose of this report was to describe a simple clinical sign that can aid in its diagnosis.

Use of a Torque-Range-of-Motion device for objective differentiation of diabetic from normal feet in adults.

Background: The ability of the foot and ankle complex to act as an energy absorber is reflected in its viscoelastic properties. The Torque-Range-of-Motion (TROM) device was designed to provide an effective objective assessment of foot and ankle passive mechanical function. The hypothesis of this study was that mechanical parameters derived from passive TROM curves of otherwise normal feet of adults with diabetes would be significantly different from those of adults without diabetes.

The effects of rotation on radiographic evaluation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis.

Radiographs of 12 normal cadaveric lower extremities were prepared with each extremity in seven increments of axial rotation, ranging from 5 degrees of external rotation to 25 degrees of internal rotation. The tibiofibular clear space, the tibiofibular overlap, the width of the tibia and fibula, and the medial clear space were measured on each film. The width of the tibiofibular clear space (syndesmosis A) averaged 3.