Concomitant calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomies and the modified Kidner procedure for severe flatfoot associated with symptomatic accessory navicular in children and adolescents

Clinical Effects of Tibial Posterior Tendon Reconstruction in the Treatment of Young Athletes With Accessory Navicular Bone Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of anchor reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon with the traditional Kidner's procedure for accessory navicular bone syndrome.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 young athletes diagnosed with accessory navicular bone syndrome who were admitted to our hospital from 2018 to 2021. Among them, 20 patients underwent the modified Kidner procedure for the anchor reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon (Experimental group), while the remaining 20 patients were treated with the traditional Kidner's procedure (Control group). Regular follow-ups were conducted to evaluate the degree of relief of foot symptoms and functional recovery.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (mean duration: 18.6±3.7) after the operation. At the last follow-up, significant differences were observed in the function and symptom relief of the affected foot compared to the preoperative state. The experimental group had a mean operation time of 52.10 ± 3.41 minutes, significantly shorter than the control group's 61.25 ± 2.75 minutes. The mean time to return to normal activity was 12.65 ± 1.23 weeks for the experimental group, compared to 15.25 ± 1.16 weeks for the control group.

CONCLUSION

The modified Kidner procedure demonstrates a higher patient satisfaction rate compared to the traditional Kidner procedure. This is attributed to its shorter duration, reduced trauma, and quicker recovery of normal activity.

Accessory navicular in children

Accessory navicular (AN) is a developmental variation of the secondary ossification center of the navicular tuberosity. Ten percent of patients with AN will have pain symptoms that affect walking and life. As the AN changes the position of the posterior tibial tendon insertion, children with AN often have posterior tibial tendon function insufficiency and flexible flat foot. Surgical treatment is often required after failure of conservative treatment. This article reviewed the etiology, clinical manifestations, complications, and treatment methods of AN.

A modified method for reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon after resection of juvenile painful type II accessory navicular

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of accessory navicular (AN) is divided into simple resection of AN and Kidner surgery used to reconstruct posterior tibial tendon (PTT) after AN resection. However, both of these procedures have certain disadvantages. Herein, we proposed a modified method to reconstruct PTT and compared the short-term clinical effect of our method with the modified Kidner procedure.

METHODS

We collected data from 23 adolescent children with painful type II AN treated in our department between January 2015 and June 2020. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hind foot (AOFAS-AH) Scores, the Meary Angle, and Pitch Angle of the lateral weight-bearing plain radiographs status were recorded before and after the operation to evaluate the treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

In the modified Kidner surgery (MK) group, the median AOFAS-AH increased from 61 (59-68) to 87 (83-91) (P < 0.05); the Pitch angle of the lateral weight-bearing plain radiographs increased from 13.0 (8-18) to 17.4 (14-22), and the Meary angle decreased from 18.3 (14-24) to 14.2 (8-20) (P < 0.05). In the PTT preservation folded suture (FS) group, the median AOFAS-AH increased from 61 (59-68) to 87 (85-91) (P < 0.05); the Pitch angle of the lateral weight-bearing plain radiographs increased from 12.3 (7-18) to 18.4 (15-26), and the Meary angle decreased from 17.8 (13-23) to 5.7 (3-8) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in AOFAS-AH postoperative scores between the FS group and MK group; however, the improvement on Pitch and Meary angle of the lateral weight-bearing plain radiographs was significantly better in the FS group than in MK group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

For painful type II AN in juvenile patients, the insertion-preserving folding suture procedure had similar short-term results on AOFAS-AH scores but greater improvement in the Meary angle and the Pitch Angle than the modified Kidner method.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Efficacy of modified kidner procedure combined with subtalar arthroereisis treating adolescent type 2 painful accessory navicular with flexible flatfoot

Purpose

To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified kidner procedure combined with subtalar arthroereisis in the treatment of adolescent type II painful accessory navicular with flexible flatfoot.

Methods

From January 2018 to January 2022, 25 adolescent patients (40 feet) with painful type II accessory navicular and flexible flatfoot admitted to our hospital were enrolled in the study, including 13 males (23 feet) and 12 females (17 feet). All patients underwent modified kidner procedure combined with subtalar joint arthrodesis. The Meary's Angle, the first metatarsal Angle of talus (APTMT), the second metatarsal Angle of talus, Pitch Angle, talus tilt Angle, talonavicular coverage Angle (TCA), talus calcaneal Angle (LTCA), and calcaneal Angle were measured on weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral x-ray films before operation and at last follow-up. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the improvement of foot function and pain.

Results

All patients were followed up for average 17.4 ± 2.6 months (12-24). The incisions of 25 patients healed by first intention. The weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral x-ray films of the foot showed that the suture anchors did not pull out or break, and the foot arch did not collapse further. There was no screw withdrawal or secondary operation to remove the screw in all patients. At the last follow-up, the postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the affected foot was significantly lower than that before operation (P < 0.01), and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) foot function score was significantly higher than that before operation (P < 0.01). At the last follow-up, the weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral foot x-ray films showed that: The Meary's Angle, the first metatarsal Angle of the talus (APTMT), the second metatarsal Angle of the talus, Pitch Angle, talar tilt Angle, talonavicular overbite Angle (TCA), talocalcaneal Angle (LTCA), and calcaneal Angle significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The modified kidner procedure combined with subtalar arthroereisis has a good clinical effect in the treatment of adolescent type II painful accessory navicular with flexible flatfoot, which can effectively improve the pain symptoms, improve the foot function and imaging manifestations, and correct the flatfoot deformity.

MODIFIED MUBARAK TECHNIQUE FOR FLEXIBLE FLATFOOT CORRECTION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objective

To describe the technique, analyze possible radiographic correction and evaluate the clinical result of medial and plantar calcaneal displacement osteotomy associated with opening wedge cuboid osteotomy for flexible flatfoot correction.

Methods

23 patients (30 feet) diagnosed with flexible flat foot treated with plantar and medial calcaneal displacement osteotomy associated with opening wedge cuboid osteotomy were evaluated retrospectively. In the lateral radiographs calcaneal pitch and Meary's angle were the radiographic parameters evaluated; while the talonavicular coverage angle was evaluated in the anteroposterior radiographs. To assess the clinical outcome of the surgical procedure, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) for the ankle and hindfoot was adopted.

Results

The mean values of the evaluated angles and AOFAS score for ankle and hindfoot significantly improved when comparing pre- and postoperative values.

Conclusion

Plantar and medial calcaneal displacement osteotomy associated with an opening wedge cuboid osteotomy is able to improve radiological and clinical parameters of child patients with flexible flatfoot. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

Is Kidner procedure necessary during subtalar arthroereisis for pediatric flexible flatfoot that combined with symptomatic type 2 accessory navicular? A retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

Kidner procedure is thought to be able to eliminate the medial foot pain and contribute to restoring the medial longitudinal foot arch, making it particularly suitable for surgical treatment of pes planus that combined with symptomatic type 2 accessory navicular (AN). However, controversy remains, and the clinical evidence is still lacking. The aim of the current study is to verify the necessity of Kidner procedure during subtalar arthroereisis (STA) for pediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF) that combined with symptomatic type 2 AN.

METHODS

Forty pediatric patients (72 feet) who had undergone STA for flexible flatfoot and were also diagnosed with symptomatic type 2 AN concomitantly were reviewed retrospectively and divided into two groups (STA + Kidner vs STA alone). The visual analog scale (VAS), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the Oxford ankle foot questionnaire for children (OAFQC), and the radiographic parameters that quantifying pes planus were evaluated as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of complications.

RESULTS

There were 35 feet in the STA + Kidner group and 37 feet in the STA alone group, with mean follow-up periods of 2.7 years and 2.1 years, respectively. The VAS, AOFAS, OAFQC scores and radiographic parameters presented no significant difference between the two groups both preoperatively and at final follow-up (P > 0.05 for each). The complications of STA surgery occurred equally in both groups, and Kidner procedure could lead to more incision problems (22.9% vs. 2.7%) and a longer time to return to activity.

CONCLUSION

Kidner procedure may be unnecessary during surgical treatment of PFF that combined with painful type 2 AN. Correcting the PFF while leaving the AN alone has a high possibility of relieving the pain in the AN region, and tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) rerouting hardly aids in reconstruction of the medial foot arch.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Medial column reinforcement for the correction of flatfoot deformity with accessory navicular bone

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of reinforcement of the medial column in the treatment of flatfoot deformity with accessory navicular bone.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 32 patients (46 feet) of flatfoot deformity with accessory navicular bone were reviewed. All patients underwent the reinforcement of their medial column in the midfoot, mainly including spring ligament repair, posterior tibial tendon reconstruction, and cotton osteotomy. Clinical evaluation adopted American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate foot function and pain. Radiographic evaluation was performed, and Meary's angle, calcaneal pitch angle, talonavicular coverage angle (TCA), talar 2th metatarsal angle (T2MT) and calcaneal valgus angle (CVA) were measured.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up for an average duration of 24.3±3.6 months. At the final follow-up, the patient's foot pain was relieved and the foot deformity was improved. The data indicated that the mean functional AOFAS score was significantly improved and the mean VAS score was significantly decreased postoperatively at final follow-up. Additionally, Meary's angle, TCA, T2MT and CVA were all significantly decreased, and calcaneal pitch angle was significantly increased after surgery.

CONCLUSION

We found that reinforcement of the medial column can effectively maintain medial longitudinal arch, correct flatfoot deformity with accessory navicular bone.

A retrospective multicenter study of quantitative bone SPECT/CT to predict the surgical removal of the accessory navicular bone

OBJECTIVE

The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) can help quantify disease activity of the accessory navicular bone (ANB). In this multicenter quantitative bone SPECT/CT study, we investigated whether SUVmax was correlated with ANB severity, thereby allowing prediction of surgical resection for ANB treatment.

METHODS

Two-hundred forty-six patients (men:women = 135:111, mean age = 39.3 years), who had undergone quantitative Tc-99m diphosphonate SPECT/CT of the feet, were recruited from four hospitals. SUVmax was measured using vendor-provided quantitation software. The SUVmax values were compared in relation to ANB type (type 1 = 62, type 2 = 136 and type 3 = 14), presence of pain and surgical treatment.

RESULTS

SUVmax (mean ± SD) was the highest in type 2 ANB (4.41 ± 5.2; P = 0.0101). The 17 resected ANBs showed greater SUVmax (8.27 ± 5.23; P < 0.0001) than the 141 asymptomatic ANBs (2.30 ± 1.68) or the 54 symptomatic ANBs without surgery (6.15 ± 4.40). Since surgery is exclusively indicated for ANB type 2, surgical resection was investigated only in these cases. In univariate analysis, young age and SUVmax were significantly associated with surgical treatment, but only SUVmax was a significant predictor of surgery in multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001). Type 2 ANBs were treated by surgery in 32.5% (13/40) of the cases when SUVmax was ≥5, and in only 1.35% (1/74) of the cases when SUVmax was <5 (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

ANB disease activity and excision were strongly associated with the SUVmax derived from quantitative bone SPECT/CT. Our study suggests an absolute SUVmax cutoff for ultimate ANB surgical treatment, but additional prospective studies are required to validate this finding.

Evaluation and Management of Common Accessory Ossicles of the Foot and Ankle in Children and Adolescents

Accessory ossicles are a common radiographic finding about the foot and ankle in children and adolescents. They are often noted incidentally during evaluation of foot and ankle injuries, and most can be managed nonsurgically. Although over 20 accessory ossicles have been described around the foot and ankle, five specific structures generate the most concern in pediatric patients. An accessory navicular presents commonly with medial midfoot pain and may require surgical intervention after failure of nonsurgical treatment. Although an accessory navicular can be treated surgically with simple excision, there is some recent evidence that supports concomitant reconstruction of associated flatfoot deformities. Os trigonum, an ossicle posterior to the talus, is also commonly asymptomatic. However, os trigonum may be associated with persistent posterior ankle pain, and open and endoscopic resection techniques are successful. Os subfibulare is an uncommon ossicle that may be associated with recurrent ankle sprains. Recent literature reports successful return to activities after ossicle excision and ligament reconstruction. Os subtibiale may be confused with a medial malleolar fracture in skeletally immature patients. Os peroneum may contribute to lateral midfoot pain.

Painful Accessory Navicular and Spring Ligament Injuries in Athletes

Painful accessory navicular and spring ligament injuries in athletes are different entities from more common posterior tibialis tendon problems seen in older individuals. These injuries typically affect running and jumping athletes, causing medial arch pain and in severe cases a pes planus deformity. Diagnosis requires a detailed physical examination, standing radiographs, and MRI. Initial treatment focuses on rest, immobilization, and restriction from sports. Orthotic insoles may alleviate minor pain, but many patients need surgery to expedite recovery and return to sports. The authors review their approach to these injuries and provide surgical tips along with expected rehabilitation to provide optimal outcomes.

Understanding the foot's functional anatomy in physiological and pathological conditions: the calcaneopedal unit concept

BACKGROUND

A thorough review of the available orthopaedic literature shows significant controversies, inconsistencies and sparse data regarding the terminology used to describe foot deformities. This lack of consensus on terminology creates confusion in professional discussions of foot anatomy, pathoanatomy and treatment of deformities. The controversies apply to joint movements as well as static relationships between the bones.

DESCRIPTION

The calcaneopedal unit (CPU) is a specific anatomical and physiological entity, represented by the entire foot excepted the talus. The calcaneus, midfoot and forefoot are solidly bound by three strong ligaments that create a unit that articulates with the talus. The movement of the CPU is complex, as it rotates under the talus, around the axis of Henke that coincides with the talo-calcaneal ligament of Farabeuf.This calcaneopedal unit is deformable. It is compared with a twisted plate, able to adapt to many physiological situations in standing position, in order to acheive a plantigrade position.Moreover, the calcaneopedal unit and the talo-tibiofibular complex are interdependent; rotation of the latter produces morphologic modifications inside the former and vice versa.

PURPOSE

This paper is a review article of this concept and of its physiopathological applications.

A retrospective study on factors predictive of operative intervention in symptomatic accessory navicular

PURPOSE

The variables causing symptomatic accessory navicular are largely unknown and may inform management of symptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to examine patient specific factors associated with the development of accessory navicular symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 71 patients with clinical and radiographic evidence of accessory navicular syndrome were evaluated. Patient gender, race, date of birth, date of earliest foot complaint and laterality were recorded. Treatment was defined as conservative versus surgical. Skeletal maturity was assessed based on calcaneal ossification, accessory navicular subtype and the presence of pes planus based on talo-first metatarsal angle were assessed.

RESULTS

Female patients comprised 72% of the subjects and trended towards symptoms at younger ages than male patients (p = 0.06), while no significant difference in presentation age was appreciated between male and female patients. Skeletal maturity was significantly associated with earlier complaints and age at presentation but was not associated with increased need for surgical management. Patients with pes planus were significantly more likely to undergo operative management. Accessory navicular subtype was significantly correlated with skeletal maturity.

CONCLUSION

Female patients were more likely to report symptoms and present with symptomatic accessory navicular. The stage of skeletal maturity is not a predictor of future surgical management but patients with a higher first-metatarsal angle were more likely to require surgery. The correlation between accessory navicular subtype and skeletal maturity suggests that Type II ossicles are likely to develop into Type III over time. Radiographic evaluation of the accessory navicular may lend prognostic data on the necessity of future surgical intervention.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, Case Series.

Maximum standardized uptake value of foot SPECT/CT using Tc-99m HDP in patients with accessory navicular bone as a predictor of surgical treatment

Quantitative bone SPECT/CT (single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography) using Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate is emerging as a useful imaging modality for skeletal diseases. Accessory navicular bone (ANB) has been evaluated by bone scintigraphy only qualitatively and semiquantitatively. However, a truly objective quantitative assessment of ANB is lacking. Here, we measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the ANB and investigated its usefulness as an imaging biomarker for ANB.Consecutive quantitative bone SPECT/CT studies that had been performed on the foot were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred five patients (male:female = 44:61; median age = 32.0 [range, 11-81] years old; 31 negative controls without ANB and 74 patients with ANB [7 unilateral and 67 bilateral]) and their 210 feet were investigated. The ANBs were classified into types I, II, III (Geist classification), and 0 (contralateral navicular of unilateral ANB). Type II ANBs were subclassified into II-1 (with bony abnormality) or II-0 (without bony abnormality). The treatment modality was observation, conservative treatment, or surgical removal. The associations between the SUVmax and clinical findings, including surgery, were investigated.Patients with type II-1 ANB had the highest SUVmax among all ANB types (P < .001). The SUVmax of symptomatic ANB was greater than that for asymptomatic ANB (P < .001), and the SUVmax for the surgically resected ANB group was also significantly higher than that for the observation only or conservative treatment group (P < .001). Subtype II-1 had a significantly higher SUVmax compared with subtype II-0 (P < .001). Logistic regression analyses in type II ANB showed that young age (P = .020) and SUVmax (P = .031) were significant predictors for surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curve and survival analyses revealed an optimal SUVmax cutoff of 5.27 g/mL for predicting final surgical treatment.SUVmax derived from quantitative bone SPECT/CT was strongly associated with symptom, surgical treatment, and a known high-risk type of ANB. Risk stratification for final surgical treatment of ANB can be achieved using the SUVmax from quantitative bone SPECT/CT.

The Effect of Arch Height and Material Hardness of Personalized Insole on Correction and Tissues of Flatfoot

Flat foot is one of the common deformities in the youth population, seriously affecting the weight supporting and daily exercising. However, there is lacking of quantitative data relative to material selection and shape design of the personalized orthopedic insole. This study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of material hardness and support height of personalized orthopedic insole on foot tissues, by in vivo experiment and finite element modeling. The correction of arch height increased with material hardness and support height. The peak plantar pressure increased with the material hardness, and these values by wearing insoles of 40° were apparently higher than the bare feet condition. Harder insole material results in higher stress in the joint and ligament stress than softer material. In the calcaneocuboid joint, the stress increased with the arch height of insoles. The material hardness did not apparently affect the stress in the ankle joints, but the support heights of insole did. In general, insole material and support design are positively affecting the correction of orthopedic insole, but negatively resulting in unreasonable stress on the stress in the joint and ligaments. There should be an integration of improving correction and reducing stress in foot tissues.

Endoscopic Fusion of the Accessory Navicular Synchondrosis That Has No Diastasis

Accessory navicular bone is a common accessory ossicle of the foot and is present in 10% to 14% of normal feet. Less than 1% of the accessory navicular bones are symptomatic. Degenerative or traumatic disruption of the accessory navicular synchondrosis is one of the main causes of symptomatic accessory navicular. The disrupted synchondrosis may or may not be associated with diastasis of the synchondrosis. Fusion of the synchondrosis is indicated if the pain fails to respond to conservative measures. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe a minimally invasive approach for fusion of the synchondrosis that has no diastasis.

Endoscopic Accessory Navicular Synchondrosis Fusion

The accessory navicular bone is one of the most common accessory ossicles of the foot. Fewer than 1% of accessory navicular bones are symptomatic, and most of these are type II accessory navicular bones. A separation of the synchondrosis is considered one of the main causes of pain. After an injury to the synchondrosis has resulted in a chondro-osseous disruption, the combined forces of tension and shear from the posterior tibial tendon and the foot aggravate the injury and prevent it from healing. Fusion of the synchondrosis is a logical surgical treatment option if the pain is recalcitrant to conservative measures. The purpose of this technical note is to report an endoscopic approach to achieve fusion. It has the advantages of better cosmesis, less scar pain, less risk of nonunion, and potential to examine the tibialis posterior tendon and the talonavicular joint.

Clinical Meaning of Hot Uptake on Bone Scan in Symptomatic Accessory Navicular Bones

INTRODUCTION

We analyzed clinical factors related to uptake on a Tc-99 m HDP bone scan of the accessory navicular (AN).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients who had been examined by an orthopedic surgeon and underwent bone scan due to suspected symptomatic AN. A three-point grading system was used to evaluate uptake on bone scan. Relationships between grade, symptoms, age, gender, symptom duration, and bone size were analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 73 ANs (30 asymptomatic, 43 symptomatic) were enrolled. The majority of asymptomatic ANs had no uptake but some had grade 1 (n = 8) or 2 (n = 2) uptake. All asymptomatic ANs with uptake remained asymptomatic during follow-up. For the asymptomatic ANs, larger bones showed a higher grade. With a cut-off value of size ≤6.8 mm, there is no chance of uptake. All symptomatic ANs showed uptake on bone scan. For symptomatic ANs, larger size and shorter pain duration were related to a higher grade. Age, gender, and left-/right-sideness were not related to grade. Multiple regressions revealed that only uptake grade, not size or symptom duration, was the significant risk factor for a symptomatic AN. With a cut-off value of grade <1, a symptomatic AN could be ruled out with a negative predictive value of 100 %.

CONCLUSION

Bone scanning is useful for symptomatic ANs with a high negative predictive value. Higher grade is related to larger size and shorter pain duration. For asymptomatic ANs, grade was related to size but did not predict symptom development.