Appearance of the weight-bearing lateral radiograph in retrocalcaneal bursitis

Background and purpose A retrocalcaneal bursitis is caused by repetitive impingement of the bursa between the Achilles tendon and the posterosuperior calcaneus. The bursa is situated in the posteroinferior corner of Kager's triangle (retrocalcaneal recess), which is a radiolucency with sharp borders on the lateral radiograph of the ankle. If there is inflammation, the fluid-filled bursa is less radiolucent, making it difficult to delineate the retrocalcaneal recess. We assessed whether the radiographic appearance of the retrocalcaneal recess on plain digital (filmless) radiographs could be used in the diagnosis of a retrocalcaneal bursitis. Methods Whether or not there was obliteration of the retrocalcaneal recess (yes/no) on 74 digital weight-bearing lateral radiographs of the ankle was independently assessed by 2 observers. The radiographs were from 24 patients (25 heels) with retrocalcaneal bursitis (confirmed on endoscopic calcaneoplasty); the control group consisted of 50 patients (59 heels). Results The sensitivity of the test was 83% for observer 1 and 79% for observer 2. Specificity was 100% and 98%, respectively. The kappa value of the interobserver reliability test was 0.86. For observer 1, intraobserver reliability was 0.96 and for observer 2 it was 0.92. Interpretation On digital weight-bearing lateral radiographs of a retrocalcaneal bursitis, the retrocalcaneal recess has a typical appearanc

Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: why painful? An evidence-based philosophy

Chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is generally difficult to treat as the background to the pain mechanisms has not yet been clarified. A wide range of conservative and surgical treatment options are available. Most address intratendinous degenerative changes when present, as it is believed that these changes are responsible for the symptoms. Since up to 34% of asymptomatic tendons show histopathological changes, we believe that the tendon proper is not the cause of pain in the majority of patients. Chronic painful tendons show the ingrowth of sensory and sympathetic nerves from the paratenon with release of nociceptive substances. Denervating the Achilles tendon by release of the paratenon is sufficient to cause pain relief in the majority of patients. This type of treatment has the additional advantage that it is associated with a shorter recovery time when compared with treatment options that address the tendon itself. An evidence-based philosophy on the cause of pain in chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy is presented

Good outcome after stripping the plantaris tendon in patients with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is a problem that is generally difficult to treat. The pain is frequently most prominent on the medial side of the mid-portion of the tendon, where the plantaris tendon is running parallel to the Achilles tendon. The purpose of this study was to assess whether excision of the plantaris tendon would relieve symptoms. Three patients with pain and stiffness at the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon were treated by excision of the plantaris tendon. Preoperatively, these patients experienced recognizable tenderness on palpation of the medial side of the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon with localized nodular thickening at 4-7 cm proximal to the insertion. MRI indicated Achilles tendinopathy with the involvement of the plantaris tendon. The plantaris tendon was bluntly retrieved and excised with a tendon stripper through a 4-cm incision in the proximal calf. We report a good-to-excellent outcome of this novel procedure in three patients with chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy The medial pain might be based on the involvement of the plantaris tendon in the process. I

The plantaris tendon and a potential role in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: an observational anatomical study

The source of pain and the background to the pain mechanisms associated with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy have not yet been clarified. Intratendinous degenerative changes are most often addressed when present. However, it is questionable if degeneration of the tendon itself is the main cause of pain. Pain is often most prominent on the medial side, 2-7cm from the insertion onto the calcaneus. The medial location of the pain has been explained to be caused by enhanced stress on the calcaneal tendon due to hyperpronation. However, on this medial side the plantaris tendon is also located. It has been postulated that the plantaris tendon might play a role in these medially located symptoms. To our knowledge, the exact anatomy and relationship between the plantaris- and calcaneal tendon at the level of complaints have not been anatomically assessed. This was the purpose of our study. One-hundred and seven lower extremities were dissected. After opening the superficial fascia and paratendon, the plantaris tendon was bluntly released from the calcaneal tendon moving distally. The incidence of the plantaris tendon, its course, site of insertion and possible connections were documented. When with manual force the plantaris tendon could not be released, it was defined as a 'connection' with the calcaneal tendon. In all specimens a plantaris tendon was identified. Nine different sites of insertion were found, mostly medial and fan-shaped onto the calcaneus. In 11 specimens (10%) firm connections were found at the level of the calcaneal tendon mid-portion. Clinical and histological studies are needed to confirm the role of the plantaris tendon in mid-portion Achilles tendinopath

The appearance of the pre-Achilles fat pad after endoscopic calcaneoplasty

To evaluate whether the imaging features of the retrocalcaneal recess normalize on a conventional radiograph after surgery for retrocalcaneal bursitis and evaluate whether it can be reused if complaints reoccur. Patients who underwent an endoscopic calcaneoplasty at least 2 years before were eligible for inclusion. A lateral conventional radiograph of the surgically treated hindfoot was made to assess the retrocalcaneal recess and pre-Achilles fat pad; images were analysed, clinical complaints were registered and evaluated. Radiographs were evaluated by two experienced observers (one orthopaedic surgeon one musculoskeletal specialized radiologist), these scored the images either as "normal" (no obliteration of retrocalcaneal recess and pre-Achilles fat) or as "abnormal". Thirty patients (34 heels: 28 asymptomatic and 6 recurrent complaints) were included in this study. Observer one rated 12 images as "normal" (2 symptomatic heels and 10 asymptomatic), 22 "abnormal". Observer two rated 9 "normal" (1 symptomatic heels and 8 asymptomatic), 25 "abnormal". No correlation between the radiographic appearance and complaints (n.s.) was found. Cohen's kappa for interobserver agreement was low (0.11 n.s.). The appearance of the retrocalcaneal recess on a lateral radiograph cannot be used as a reliable diagnostic criterion for retrocalcaneal bursitis in patients who previously underwent endoscopic calcaneoplasty. This study clinical relevance is based upon the conclusion that a lateral radiograph cannot be used after endoscopic calcaneoplasty, whereas previous work reported the diagnostic value of a lateral radiograph for retrocalcaneal bursitis prior to surgery. II

Optimization of portal placement for endoscopic calcaneoplasty

The purpose of our study was to determine an anatomic landmark to help locate portals in endoscopic calcaneoplasty. The device for optimal portal placement (DOPP) was developed to measure the distance from the distal fibula tip to the calcaneus (DFC) in 28 volunteers to determine the location of the posterosuperior calcaneal border in relation to this line. The DOPP showed an interobserver reliability of 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.97 to 0.99). We found that portals should be placed at a mean of 15 mm (SD, 4.5 mm) distal to the tip of the fibula in patients with flat feet, at a mean of 20 mm (SD, 4.8 mm) in normal feet, and at a mean of 22 mm (SD, 5.4 mm) in cavus feet. The difference in the DFC within the 3 different foot type groups was significant (P < .05). The DOPP was shown to be highly reliable in measuring the DFC (intraclass coefficient, 0.99). A numeric distance scale for use in all different foot morphologies could not be constructed. There is a direct relation between portal location and foot morphology (P < .05): in flat feet the portal location is significantly more proximal (15 mm) to the tip of the fibula when compared with cavus feet (22 mm). These results may help with portal placement in endoscopic calcaneoplasty for all different foot morphologie

First validation of the PASSPORT training environment for arthroscopic skills

The demand for high quality care is in contrast to reduced training time for residents to develop arthroscopic skills. Thereto, simulators are introduced to train skills away from the operating room. In our clinic, a physical simulation environment to Practice Arthroscopic Surgical Skills for Perfect Operative Real-life Treatment (PASSPORT) is being developed. The PASSPORT concept consists of maintaining the normal arthroscopic equipment, replacing the human knee joint by a phantom, and integrating registration devices to provide performance feedback. The first prototype of the knee phantom allows inspection, treatment of menisci, irrigation, and limb stressing. PASSPORT was evaluated for face and construct validity. Construct validity was assessed by measuring the performance of two groups with different levels of arthroscopic experience (20 surgeons and 8 residents). Participants performed a navigation task five times on PASSPORT. Task times were recorded. Face validity was assessed by completion of a short questionnaire on the participants’ impressions and comments for improvements. Construct validity was demonstrated as the surgeons (median task time 19.7 s [8.0–37.6]) were more efficient than the residents (55.2 s [27.9–96.6]) in task completion for each repetition (Mann–Whitney U test, P < 0.05). The prototype of the knee phantom sufficiently imitated limb outer appearance (79%), portal resistance (82%), and arthroscopic view (81%). Improvements are required for the stressing device and the material of cruciate ligaments. Our physical simulation environment (PASSPORT) demonstrates its potential to evolve as a training modality. In future, automated performance feedback is aimed for.Biomechanical EngineeringApplied Science