We report the case of a patient with a hemiparetic stroke whose metatarsalgia was successfully managed by reducing the spasticity of plantar flexor using neurolysis with 20% ethyl alcohol. A 57-year-old female patient with left hemiparesis following an infarct of the right corona radiata and basal ganglia one year previously presented with pain (numeric rating scale: 7) in the forefoot under the second to fourth metatarsal heads for six months. We diagnosed her with metatarsalgia and considered that the forefoot pain was associated with mechanical stress around the metatarsal head due to the spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale: 1+) of the ankle plantar flexor. We performed neurolysis of the medial and lateral motor branches of the tibial nerve to the gastrocnemius muscle with 20% ethyl alcohol. After the alcohol block, foot pain and spasticity significantly reduced (numeric rating scale: 1; Modified Ashworth Scale: 0). Moreover, this effect persisted for at least three months. Clinicians should consider the possibility that spasticity can contribute to the development of foot pain in a patient with stroke.
Metatarsalgia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in simple radiographic parameters and results of 3-D scan among normal and patient groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy subjects in each group were studied. Control group consisted of subjects without plantar foot pain (normal group), and two patient groups were one with plantar forefoot pain (metatarsalgia group), the other with plantar heel pain (heel pain group). Simple radiographic parameters were obtained and 3-D scan was done with foot scanner (Nexscan, K&I, Korea) and The height and volumn of the space under the medial longitudinal arch was analyzed (Enfoot, K&I, Korea). These parameters were compared and correlation between radiological parameters and results of the 3-D scan were studied. RESULTS: The results of all parameters distributed normally. There was no signigicant differences among the groups in radiological parameters (talo-first metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch angle and height of the talar head in standing lateral radiograph) and arch height and arch volumn on 3-D scan. There were statistically significant correlations between radiological and 3-D scan results. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that there is no significant differences in medial longitudinal arch height and volumn among normal and different patient groups and there are variety of arch height in patients with similar symptoms.
Foot* ; Head ; Heel ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia means the pain under the lesser metatarsal heads. The many causes of metatarsalgia can be categorized into three groups: local disease in the region, altered forefoot biomechanics, and systemic disease affecting the region. Surgical options need to be considered if nonsurgical treatment fails. The metatarsal osteotomies are designed primarily to reduce the weightbearing forces on the metatarsal head by elevating or shortening the metatarsal. Many lesser metatarsal osteotomies have been described, and their success depends on many factors. Regardless of the method employed, it is important to maintain or restore the metatarsal cascade to maintain an even pressure under the lesser metatarsal heads and prevent transfer lesions. The surgeon must understand the effects of the metatarsal osteotomy on the forefoot patho-biomechanics and decide, using a combination of clinical examinations and imaging, whether the desired effect of the osteotomy is to shorten or elevate the metatarsal head or both.
Head ; Metatarsal Bones* ; Metatarsalgia* ; Methods ; Osteotomy* ; Weight-Bearing

PURPOSE: Painful plantar callosities under the second, third or fourth metatarsal head have been controverted about its treatment mordalities. We performed the vertical chevron osteotomy in patients with painful callosities on the second and third metatarsal head, and evaluated the outcome clinically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases from 10 patients who had plantar keratosis were operated by vertical chevron osteotomy from March 2005 to October 2008. We used K-wire fixation for all cases. We evaluated the clinical results by the patients' satisfaction and disappearance of plantar lesion. RESULTS: The plantar keratosis was completely disappeared in 8 cases and partially in 5 cases. In 2 cases, patients expresses their pain caused by constant metatarsalgia that was suspected to be dorsal incisional pain and joint capsulitis. Transmetatarsalgia was not appeared. CONCLUSION: We consider vertical chevron osteotomy as a good surgical method for treatment of plantar keratosis.
Callosities ; Head ; Humans ; Joints ; Keratosis ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy

PURPOSE: Painful plantar callosities under the second, third or fourth metatarsal head have been controverted about its treatment mordalities. We performed the vertical chevron osteotomy in patients with painful callosities on the second and third metatarsal head, and evaluated the outcome clinically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases from 10 patients who had plantar keratosis were operated by vertical chevron osteotomy from March 2005 to October 2008. We used K-wire fixation for all cases. We evaluated the clinical results by the patients' satisfaction and disappearance of plantar lesion. RESULTS: The plantar keratosis was completely disappeared in 8 cases and partially in 5 cases. In 2 cases, patients expresses their pain caused by constant metatarsalgia that was suspected to be dorsal incisional pain and joint capsulitis. Transmetatarsalgia was not appeared. CONCLUSION: We consider vertical chevron osteotomy as a good surgical method for treatment of plantar keratosis.
Callosities ; Head ; Humans ; Joints ; Keratosis ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy

PURPOSE: We compared the result of a proximal metatarsal closed wedge osteotomy and soft tissue procedure with a modified chevron osteotomy and soft tissue procedure in the treatment of hallux valgus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1999 and February 2003, we performed proximal metatarsal closed wedge osteotomy and soft tissue procedure on 17 feet (12 patients), and modified chevron osteotomy and soft tissue procedure on 12 feet (9 patients). RESULTS: According to Mayo clinic forefoot scoring system (FFSS), group 1, with proximal metatarsal closed wedge osteotomy, shows 67.2 points postoperatively and group 2, with modified chevron osteotomy, shows 68.5 points postoperatively. In group 1, the average correction of hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle was 20.8 degrees and 4.8 degrees, respectively. In group 2, the average correction of hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle was 19.9 degrees and 4.7 degrees, respectively. The average shortening was 3.15 mm in group 1 and 1.38 mm in group 2. CONCLUSION: We obtained relatively good clinical and radiographic result in this study. The effect on shortening of the first metatarsal was greater in the proximal metatarsal closed wedge osteotomy than modified chevron osteotomy, but the metatarsal shortening did not related with metatarsalgia. So, both techniques seems optimal surgical treatment for hallux valgus deformity.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Metatarsal Bones* ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy*

Hallux Valgus ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia is one of the most common causes of patients complaining of pain in their feet. This pain is the plantar forefoot, including the second to fourth metatarsal heads and arises from either mechanical or iatrogenic causes. On the other hand, it is frequently accompanied by a deformity of the toes as well as of the first and fifth rays. The pain has a variety of causes, and sometimes the cause is difficult to distinguish. The variability of possible causative factors necessitates an individualized approach to treatment. To determine these causes, this paper presents an overview of the gait mechanics, plantar pressure, and the classification according to the etiology.
Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Foot ; Gait ; Hand ; Head ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia* ; Toes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of Ludloff osteotomy for treatment of hallux valgus with regard to patient satisfaction and clinical and radiological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 43 feet of 28 patients underwent Ludloff osteotomy between January 2003 and August 2003. 21 patients (32 feet) who were available for follow up for more than one year were enrolled in this study. Average follow up period was 16 months. All patients were female and the average age was 51 years ranging 28 years to 72 years. Patient satisfaction was assessed and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was used for subjective outcome, AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) score and presence of metatarsalgia were used for clinical outcome, and hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle were used for radiological outcome assessment. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction regarding cosmesis was excellent in 6 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 case. VAS was improved from preoperative 6 points to postoperative 2 points and AOFAS score was improved from preoperative 53 points to postoperative 82 points. Metatarsalgia was observed in 18 cases preoperatively and 9 cases postoperatively. HVA and IMA were 35.8 and 15.2 degrees preoperatively, 12.5 and 6.6 degrees at 3 months follow up, and 13.2 and 7.1 degrees at last follow up respectively. At the last follow up, loss of angle of correction for HVA was 0.7 degrees and for IMA was 0.5 degrees. CONCLUSION: Ludloff osteotomy is an appropriate surgery of moderate to severe hallux valgus.
Ankle ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy* ; Patient Satisfaction

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of Ludloff osteotomy for treatment of hallux valgus with regard to patient satisfaction and clinical and radiological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 43 feet of 28 patients underwent Ludloff osteotomy between January 2003 and August 2003. 21 patients (32 feet) who were available for follow up for more than one year were enrolled in this study. Average follow up period was 16 months. All patients were female and the average age was 51 years ranging 28 years to 72 years. Patient satisfaction was assessed and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was used for subjective outcome, AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) score and presence of metatarsalgia were used for clinical outcome, and hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle were used for radiological outcome assessment. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction regarding cosmesis was excellent in 6 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 case. VAS was improved from preoperative 6 points to postoperative 2 points and AOFAS score was improved from preoperative 53 points to postoperative 82 points. Metatarsalgia was observed in 18 cases preoperatively and 9 cases postoperatively. HVA and IMA were 35.8 and 15.2 degrees preoperatively, 12.5 and 6.6 degrees at 3 months follow up, and 13.2 and 7.1 degrees at last follow up respectively. At the last follow up, loss of angle of correction for HVA was 0.7 degrees and for IMA was 0.5 degrees. CONCLUSION: Ludloff osteotomy is an appropriate surgery of moderate to severe hallux valgus.
Ankle ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Metatarsalgia ; Osteotomy* ; Patient Satisfaction