Achilles tendons: clinical relevance of neovascularization diagnosed with power Doppler US

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical relevance of neovascularization diagnosed with power Doppler ultrasonography (US) in Achilles tendons in patients with chronic achillodynia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients (mean age, 52 years; age range, 30-72 years) were examined. US was performed bilaterally and repeated after 3 months. Shape and echogenicity were assessed with gray-scale US and vascularization with power Doppler US. All patients were treated conservatively. Clinical assessment was performed after 0, 3, and 6 months by using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (0, no pain; 100, unbearable pain). The VAS scores were compared with the initial US findings, and analysis of variance was used for repeated measurements. RESULTS: Neovascularization was present in 30 of 55 painful tendons and in one of 25 asymptomatic tendons. The mean VAS scores at 0, 3, and 6 months, respectively, for tendons with neovascularization were 52, 26, and 20; those for tendons without neovascularization were 39, 19, and 18 (P =.15). Forty-eight painful and nine asymptomatic tendons were spindle shaped. The mean VAS scores at 0, 3, and 6 months, respectively, for the spindle-shaped tendons were 48, 25, and 20; those for normally shaped tendons were 33, 10, and 16 (P =.17). Thirty-five painful and four asymptomatic tendons were inhomogeneous. The mean VAS scores at 0, 3, and 6 months, respectively, for symptomatic inhomogeneous tendons were 54, 29, and 25; those for symptomatic homogeneous tendons were 32, 12, and 9 (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Although neovascularization is a specific sign for pain, it does not indicate an unfavorable outcome. Conversely, tendon inhomogeneity seems to be associated with an unfavorable outcome

Mid-term results of Scarf osteotomy in hallux valgus

We performed a retrospective study on 178 Scarf osteotomies with a mean follow-up of 44.9 months (range 15–83 months). Clinical rating was based on the forefoot score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Weight bearing X-rays were used to perform angular measurements and assess the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP 1). At follow-up the mean AOFAS score had improved significantly (p < 0.001), but only 55% of the feet showed a perfect realignment of the first ray. Patients with a hallux valgus angle exceeding 30° and pre-existing degenerative changes at the MTP 1 joint displayed inferior clinical results (p < 0.05). Nearly 20% of the patients suffered from pain at the MTP 1 joint. This was clearly attributed to an onset or worsening of distinct radiographic signs of arthritis (p < 0.05) resulting in painfully decreased joint motion. Comparing radiographic appearance three months postoperatively and at follow-up, we found that radiographic criteria (hallux valgus, first intermetatarsal angle, hallux valgus interphalangeus, MTP 1 joint congruency, arthritic lesions at MTP 1) worsened with time