Comparison of MRI and local anesthetic tendon sheath injection in the diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon tenosynovitis

Clinical outcomes of posterior tibial tendon sheath ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections into the posterior tibial tendon sheath for posterior tibialis tendinopathy. Secondary outcomes include duration of pain relief, amount of pain relief, need for repeat injections and progression to surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients in our electronic medical record who underwent a posterior tibial tendon sheath (PTTS) steroid injection between 2015 and 2020 for the diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and/or posterior tibialis tendon insufficiency, and/or ankle pain. Demographic information was obtained from the patient record in addition to MRI data, clinical response to injection based on follow-up visits, number of total injections and progression to surgery. Thirty-eight posterior tibial tendon sheath ultrasound-guided injections were administered in 33 patients who met inclusion criteria during the 5-year study period.

Results

Thirty-three patients were included in the study with a total of 38 injections performed. Eighteen of 38 (47%) injections yielded good or better pain relief. Seven of 33 patients (21%) progressed to surgery. There were no reported complications with the 38 performed injections.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection into the posterior tibial tendon sheath is a safe nonoperative treatment modality for progressive collapsing foot deformity. The efficacy of the injection appears highly variable with 47% of injections yielding 'good' or better clinical results. When evaluating body mass index (BMI), obese patients (BMI ≥30.0) were found to have a more sustained response to injection (P = 0.029) and more pain relief (P = 0.049) than non-obese patients.

Characteristics and Future Direction of Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy Research: A Scoping Review

Background and Objectives: Tibialis posterior tendon pathologies have been traditionally categorized into different stages of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), or adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), and more recently to progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize and characterize literature on early stages of PTTD (previously known as Stage I and II), which we will describe as tibialis posterior tendinopathy (TPT). We aim to identify what is known about TPT, identify gaps in knowledge on the topics of TPT, and propose future research direction. Materials and Methods: We included 44 studies and categorized them into epidemiology, diagnosis, evaluation, biomechanics outcome measure, imaging, and nonsurgical treatment. Results: A majority of studies (86.4%, 38 of 44 studies) recruited patients with mean or median ages greater than 40. For studies that reported body mass index (BMI) of the patients, 81.5% had mean or median BMI meeting criteria for being overweight. All but two papers described study populations as predominantly or entirely female gender. Biomechanical studies characterized findings associated with TPT to include increased forefoot abduction and rearfoot eversion during gait cycle, weak hip and ankle performance, and poor balance. Research on non-surgical treatment focused on orthotics with evidence mostly limited to observational studies. The optimal exercise regimen for the management of TPT remains unclear due to the limited number of high-quality studies. Conclusions: More epidemiological studies from diverse patient populations are necessary to better understand prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for TPT. The lack of high-quality studies investigating nonsurgical treatment options is concerning because, regardless of coexisting foot deformity, the initial treatment for TPT is typically conservative. Additional studies comparing various exercise programs may help identify optimal exercise therapy, and investigation into further nonsurgical treatments is needed to optimize the management for TPT.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VI, foot and ankle

Objectives

Clarity regarding accuracy and effectiveness for interventional procedures around the foot and ankle is lacking. Consequently, a board of 53 members of the Ultrasound and Interventional Subcommittees of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) reviewed the published literature to evaluate the evidence on image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures around this anatomical region.

Methods

We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered around foot and ankle in order to derive their clinical indications. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when > 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the Delphi-based consensus were used to write the paper that was shared with all panel members for final approval.

Results

A list of 16 evidence-based statements on clinical indications for image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the foot and ankle were drafted after a literature review. The highest level of evidence was reported for four statements, all receiving 100% agreement.

Conclusion

According to this consensus, image-guided interventions should not be considered a first-level approach for treating Achilles tendinopathy, while ultrasonography guidance is strongly recommended to improve the efficacy of interventional procedures for plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma, particularly using platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroids, respectively.

Key Points

• The expert panel of the ESSR listed 16 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the foot and ankle.

• Strong consensus was obtained for all statements.

• The highest level of evidence was reached by four statements concerning the effectiveness of US-guided injections of corticosteroid for Morton’s neuroma and PRP for plantar fasciitis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00330-021-08125-z.

Injection Techniques for Common Chronic Pain Conditions of the Foot: A Comprehensive Review

Purpose of Review

This is a comprehensive literature review of the available evidence and techniques of foot injections for chronic pain conditions. It briefly describes common foot chronic pain syndromes and then reviews available injection techniques for each of these syndromes, weighing the available evidence and comparing the available approaches.

Recent Findings

Foot and ankle pain affects 20% of the population over 50 and significantly impairs mobility and ability to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs), as well as increases fall risk. It is commonly treated with costly surgery, at times with questionable efficacy. Injection therapy is challenging when the etiology is anatomical or compressive. Morton’s neuroma is a budging of the interdigital nerve. Steroid, alcohol, and capsaicin injections provide some benefit, but it is short lived. Hyaluronic acid (HA) injection provided long-term relief and could prove to be a viable treatment option. Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is most likely secondary to repeat tendon stress—platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy have been trialed for this condition, but more evidence is required to show efficacy. Similar injections were trials for plantar fasciitis and achieved only short-term relief; however, some evidence suggests that PRP injections reduce the frequency of required therapy. Tarsal tunnel syndrome, a compressive neuropathy carries a risk of permanent neural injury if left untreated. Injection therapy can provide a bridge to surgery; however, surgical decompression remains the definitive therapy. When the etiology is inflammatory, steroid injection is more likely to provide benefit. This has been shown in several studies for gout, as well as osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle and treatment-refractory rheumatoid arthritis. HA showed similar benefit, possibly due to anti-inflammatory effects. Stem cell injections may provide the additional benefit of structure restoration.

Summary

Chronic foot pain is common in the general population and has significant associated morbidity and disability. Traditionally treated with surgery, these are costly and only somewhat effective. Injections provide an effective alternative financially and some evidence exists that they are effective in pain alleviation. However, current evidence is limited and the benefit described from injection therapy has been short-lived in most cases. Further studies in larger populations are required to evaluate the long-term effects of these treatments.

Reported selection criteria for adult acquired flatfoot deformity and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: Are they one and the same? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) and adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) are used interchangeably, although both suggest quite different pathological processes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate key differences in selection criteria used for inclusion into research studies.

METHODS

An electronic database search was performed from inception to June 2016. All primary research articles with clear inclusion/diagnostic criteria for PTTD or AAFD were included in the review. All criteria were extracted and synthesised into one aggregate list. Frequencies of recurring criteria were calculated and reported for each stage of the conditions.

RESULTS

Of the potentially eligible papers, 148 (65%) did not specify inclusion/selection criteria for PTTD or AAFD and were excluded. Eligibility criteria were reported 82 times in the 80 included papers, with 69 descriptions for PTTD and 13 for AAFD. After synthesis of criteria from all papers, there were 18 key signs and symptoms. Signs and symptoms were considered to be those relating to tendon pathology and those relating to structural deformity. The total number of individual inclusion/diagnostic criteria ranged from 2 to 9. The majority of articles required signs of both tendon dysfunction and structural deformity (84% for AAFD and 81% for PTTD). Across both groups, the most frequently reported criteria were abduction of the forefoot (11.5% of total criteria used), the presence of a flexible deformity (10.2%) and difficulty performing a single leg heel raise (10.0%). This was largely the case for the PTTD articles, whereas the AAFD articles were more focused on postural issues such as forefoot abduction, medial arch collapse, and hindfoot valgus (each 16.7%).

CONCLUSION

As well as synthesising the available literature and providing reporting recommendations, this review has identified that many papers investigating PTTD/AAFD do not state condition-specific selection criteria and that this limits their clinical applicability. Key signs and symptoms of PTTD and AAFD appear similar, except in early PTTD where no structural deformity is present. We recommend that PTTD is the preferred terminology for the condition associated with signs of local tendon dysfunction with pain and/or swelling along the tendon and difficulty with inversion and/or single leg heel raise characterising stage I and difficulty with single leg heel raise and a flexible flatfoot deformity characterizing stage II PTTD. While AAFD may be useful as an umbrella term for acquired flatfoot deformities, the specific associated aetiology should be reported in studies to aid consolidation and implementation of research into practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Prospero ID: 42016046943.

Comparison of preoperative MRI and intraoperative findings of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiological and surgical correlation between preoperative magnetic resonance images (MRI) and the intraoperative findings in patients with acquired adult flatfoot.

Results

The overall radiological–surgical correlation between preoperative MRI and the intraoperative findings for posterior tibial tendon insufficiency was only slight to fair in our patient’s series. Comparing the most commonly used posterior tibial tendon classification systems, the classification of Rosenberg et al. and Kong et al. showed higher interobserver agreement than our modified classification system and the classification system of Conti et al.

Conclusion

Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the importance of preoperative MRI before surgical repair of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.

Tibialis posterior tendon and deltoid and spring ligament injuries in the elite athlete

The tibialis posterior tendon and the spring and deltoid ligament complexes combine to provide dynamic and passive stabilization on the medial side of the ankle and hindfoot. Some of the injuries will involve acute injury to previous healthy structures, but many will develop insidiously. The clinician must be aware of new treatment strategies and the level of accompanying scientific evidence regarding injuries sustained by athletes in these areas, while acknowledging that more traditional management applied to nonathletic patients is still likely to be appropriate in the setting of treatment for elite athletes.

Management of the rigid arthritic flatfoot in the adults: alternatives to triple arthrodesis

Every alternative to triple arthrodesis in the rigid acquired flatfoot deformity is predicated on limiting the patient exposure to the complication associated with triple arthrodesis. When possible, avoiding arthrodesis of either the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints, with their higher nonunion rates, seems a cogent option. Successful treatment is dependent on thoughtful patient evaluation and examination, meticulous joint preparation, careful positioning with rigid fixation, and judicious use of adjunctive procedures to achieve the goal of a plantigrade foot that functions well and is minimally painful.

The flexible flatfoot in the adult

The adult acquired flatfoot deformity is characterized by flattening of the medial longitudinal arch with insufficiency of the supporting posteromedial soft tissue structures of the ankle and hindfoot. While the etiology of this deformity can be arthritic or traumatic in nature, it is most commonly associated with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). By one estimate, PTTD affects approximately five million people in the United States. The clinical presentation of adult flatfoot can range from a flexible deformity with normal joint integrity to a rigid, arthritic foot.