A comparison of the monofilament with other testing modalities for foot ulcer susceptibility

We studied the number of testing sites and the proportion needed to be insensate for the optimal assessment of foot ulcer risk with the 10 g monofilament. Also, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of the 10 g monofilament with other methodologies. Fifty-two individuals with either a current foot ulcer, a history of a foot ulcer or the presence of Charcot neuroarthopathy and 51 individuals with no history of any of these conditions were assessed with the 10 g monofilament at four sites on each foot, the 128 Hz tuning fork at the halluces, the Biothesiometer at the halluces and the modified neuropathy disability score. Sensitivities and specificities were calculated for the various modalities. The Biothesiometer and the neuropathy disability score had the highest sensitivities (0.92 for both). The 128 Hz tuning fork tested only at the halluces (criterion: >or=1 insensate site) had the same sensitivity (0.86) as the 10 g monofilament tested at eight sites (criterion: >or=1 insensate site) with similar specificities (0.56 and 0.58, respectively). The Biothesiometer and the modified neuropathy disability score tend to be more sensitive than the 10 g monofilament for the assessment of individuals at risk for foot ulcers. The 128 Hz tuning fork tested at only two sites is as sensitive as the 10 g monofilament tested at eight sites. These data suggest that the 10 g monofilament may not be the optimum methodology for identifying individuals at risk of foot ulcers.

North American experience with knee disarticulation with use of a posterior myofasciocutaneous flap. Healing rate and functional results in seventy-seven patients

BACKGROUND

A method for closure of a knee disarticulation wound with use of the posterior calf skin and gastrocnemius muscle bellies as an integral flap, without destruction of the perforating vessels, was described by Klaes and Eigler in 1985. The purposes of the present study were to report our experience with use of this technique in a prospective series of knee disarticulations and to determine the healing rate and the functional result after use of the flap.

METHODS

Eighty knee disarticulations, performed with use of the flap described by Klaes and Eigler, in seventy-seven patients were evaluated in a prospective manner. The patients ranged in age from nineteen to ninety-two years (mean, sixty-four years). Thirty-one patients had diabetes mellitus with peripheral vascular disease, and twenty-nine had peripheral vascular disease alone as the primary cause of gangrene. Fourteen patients had a traumatic injury, two had a sarcoma, and one had Ollier disease.

RESULTS

Five patients died in the early postoperative period, leaving seventy-five stumps available for evaluation. A total of sixty-seven stumps (89 percent) healed; sixty-three (84 percent) of them healed primarily. Major wound dehiscence occurred in seven stumps (9 percent), requiring revision to the transfemoral level. Six of those patients had a serum albumin level of less than thirty millimoles per liter. Twenty-two (81 percent) of the twenty-seven patients who could walk before surgery were able to walk with a prosthesis after it.

CONCLUSIONS

This simple technique offers reliable healing of knee disarticulation wounds in properly selected patients with a variety of conditions. It also provides comfortable end-bearing for prosthesis wearers because the distal flap is thick and mobile.

Knee disarticulation

Knee disarticulation is a muscle balanced amputation level that can be used in patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and trauma. Patients who are capable of sitting in a chair retain an excellent platform for sitting, a lever arm for transfer, and are unlikely to have joint contractures develop. In patients who are ambulatory and have vascular disease and in patients with trauma, this amputation level provides a well padded residual limb that allows distal endbearing. The use of a four bar linkage prosthetic knee joint confers intrinsic knee joint stability during walking.

New developments in recreational prostheses and adaptive devices for the amputee

Regardless of age, conventional prostheses and traditional rehabilitation programs no longer meet the needs and expectations of active amputees. The emphasis on fitness, the availability of stronger and lighter materials, and strong consumer demand have led to plethora of new prosthetic designs by progressive prosthetists and engineers. Prosthetic training techniques now take into account the amputee's recreational and sports needs and desires, using advanced athletic training concepts to achieve superior performance in a wide variety of activities. The surgeon, as a key member of the amputee team, should be aware of these profound changes so that they may contribute his or her skill in surgically crafting an optimally functional residual limb. This will allow the amputee to reach for the maximum in cardiopulmonary fitness while achieving social reintegration after amputation. The combination of skills, concepts, and techniques of the amputation surgeon, prosthetist, and therapist/trainer has led to a unique situation, in which for the first time, amputees are able to successfully compete in sports because of their prostheses, rather than in spite of them.

Impaired vibratory perception and diabetic foot ulceration

We have studied risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration by comparing diabetic patients who had active foot ulcers (n = 86) with diabetic patients who had no history of foot ulcers (n = 49). Whereas there was a strong association of diabetic foot ulceration with abnormal vibratory perception (Odds Ratio = 10.77; p less than 0.001, which increased with worsening vibratory perception), there was little association with abnormality of the ankle-pressure index (Odds Ratio = 2.84, p = n.s.). Although foot ulceration and limited joint mobility were associated (Odds Ratio = 3.57, p less than 0.001), this relation was not significant when allowances for abnormal vibratory perception and diabetes duration were made. These data suggest that sensory neuropathy is of greater aetiological importance than peripheral vascular disease in the development of diabetic foot ulceration. The measurement of the vibratory perception threshold is clinically useful in identifying those diabetic patients at high risk of foot ulceration.

Use of plaster casts in the management of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers

Neuropathic foot ulceration is a major medical and economic problem among diabetic patients, and the traditional treatment involves bed rest with complete freedom from weight-bearing. We have investigated the use of walking plaster casts in the management of seven diabetic patients with long-standing, chronic plantar ulcers. Although all ulcers healed in a median time of 6 wk, this therapy was not without side effects, which are described in detail. We conclude that casting is a useful therapy for neuropathic ulcers, although several clinic visits, including cast removal and foot inspection, are necessary to avoid potential side effects caused by the casting of insensitive feet.

Fractures in lower limbs with prior amputation. A study of ninety cases

Eighty-five lower-limb amputees with ninety subsequent fractures of the residual limb were studied retrospectively. Most of the fractures were managed by non-operative methods, with the exception of unstable intertrochanteric fractures and displaced fractures of the femoral neck. Indications for operative and non-operative treatment in below-the-knee and above-the-knee amputees are outlined. No indication was found for reamputation through the fracture site. Before fracture, all amputees used a prosthesis. After healing of the fracture, 97 per cent of the patients with amputation below the knee and 82 per cent of those with amputation above the knee resumed use of a prosthesis.

Complete replacement of the peroneus longus muscle by a ganglion with compression of the peroneal nerve: a case report

In a 38-year-old woman, the entire muscle belly of the peroneus longus was replaced by a ganglion. Signs of peroneal nerve dysfunction resulted from direct pressure of the ganglion. Excision of the ganglion required a tenodesis of the peroneus longus tendon to provide a normal gait pattern which was maintained during a 17 month follow-up period. This entity needs careful, prompt evaluation to avoid neurological damage and to distinguish it from compartment syndrome.