Management of Hammer Toe Deformities Using Percutaneous Surgical Techniques.

Hammer toe deformity is a highly prevalent lesser toe deformity and accounts for a high proportion of appointments to foot and ankle clinics. Its etiology is due to extrinsic and intrinsic muscular imbalance, attenuation and subsequent rupture of the plantar plate, and neuromuscular disorders. This leads to marked flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint and extension of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

UK Foot and Ankle Thromboembolism (UK-FATE).

Aims: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication of foot and ankle surgery. There is a lack of agreement on contributing risk factors and chemical prophylaxis requirements. The primary outcome of this study was to analyze the 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTE and VTE-related mortality in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery and Achilles tendon (TA) rupture.

Audit of a Revised Pathway Aimed at Expediting Diagnosis and Treatment for Suspected Achilles Tendon Rupture.

Treatment outcomes for Achilles tendon ruptures depend upon prompt diagnosis and management. A local study in 2018 highlighted inefficiencies in patient management, and a revised protocol was introduced allowing investigation and referral to be initiated by other healthcare professionals. This retrospective audit evaluates the impact of this on the timescale from presentation to treatment.

A Stability-Based Management Protocol for Isolated Lateral Malleolar Ankle Fractures at the Level of the Syndesmosis Reduces the Need for Surgical Intervention.

Purpose: The study aimed to establish and subsequently improve the rate of stability assessments of fractures with uncertain stability and the impact on the avoidance of potentially unnecessary surgery.

Methods: Two independent audit cycles were conducted from October 2019 to May 2020. All patients had closed isolated lateral malleolar fractures at the level of the tibiotalar syndesmosis involving skeletally mature bone.

Return to sport following toe phalanx fractures: A systematic review.

Background: Evidence-based guidance on return to sport following toe phalanx fractures is limited.

Aim: To systemically review all studies recording return to sport following toe phalanx fractures (both acute fractures and stress fractures), and to collate information on return rates to sport (RRS) and mean return times (RTS) to the sport.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Google Scholar was performed in December 2022 using the keywords 'Toe', 'Phalanx', 'Fracture', 'injury', 'athletes', 'sports', 'non-operative', 'conservative', 'operative', 'return to sport'.

Osteoid osteoma of the foot and ankle--A systematic review.

Background: Osteoid osteomas are responsible for 10% of benign bone tumours. Treatment typically involves surgical excision or radio frequency ablation. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate reported cases of foot and ankle osteoid osteomas.

Are intraspinal anomalies in early onset idiopathic scoliosis as common as once thought? A two centre United Kingdom study.

Purpose: Rates of neural axis abnormalities in infantile and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis may be as high as 50 %. We aimed to determine the rates of neural axis abnormalities in early onset idiopathic scoliosis patients in a British population.

Methods: This retrospective study at two British spinal deformity clinics identified 72 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria of: (1) age at diagnosis of 7 years and younger, (2) idiopathic scoliosis and (3) magnetic resonance imaging of the neuraxis.

Do patients undergoing lung biopsy need a postoperative chest drain at all?

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed whether insertion of an intercostal chest drain prolongs the length of stay of patients undergoing lung biopsy. Altogether 210 papers were found using the reported search, of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Contribution of medical students to admission interviews.

Objective: Medical students were included in 3-person interview panels selecting applicants for a 4-year medical programme for graduates and health professionals. We analysed student contributions to the interview panels.

Methods: A total of 188 semi-structured interviews were carried out over 2 years.