The Foot
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Opioids are an effective form of analgesia for pain treatment. Over prescribing of opioids agents have becom;1;e detrimental to the United States' public health. One of the most difficult challenges for any prescriber is to balance the potential benefits versus the potential risks of opioid prescribing. ⋯ It will introduce, define, and defend with clinical base evidence a proposed acronym "MORPHINE" to assist and help shape prescription opioid strategies used for lower extremity pain. Implications for practicing lower extremity providers need to acknowledge the potential harm that prescribing opioids may cause to their patients. Opioid stewardship principles should become a priority in podiatric medicine and podiatric surgery.
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Plantar heel pain is a common musculoskeletal foot disorder that can have a negative impact on activities of daily living and it is of multifactorial etiology. A variety of mechanical factors, which result in excessive load at the plantar fascia insertion, are thought to contribute to the onset of the condition. This review presents the evidence for associations between commonly assessed mechanical factors and plantar heel pain, which could guide management. ⋯ The evidence presented has been generated through studies with cross-sectional designs, therefore it is not known whether any of these associated factors have a causative relationship with plantar heel pain. Longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain whether the strength and flexibility impairments associated with plantar heel pain are a cause or consequence of the condition, as well as to establish activity thresholds that increase risk. Intervention approaches should consider strategies that improve strength and flexibility, as well as those that influence plantar fascia loading such as body weight reduction, orthoses and management of athletic and occupational workload.
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Review Case Reports
Schwannoma and neurofibroma of the posterior tibial nerve presenting as tarsal tunnel syndrome: review of the literature with two case reports.
We present two case reports of peripheral nerve tumors (schwannoma and neurofibroma) that presented as tarsal tunnel syndrome for many years. There has never been a report of multiple neurofibroma of the posterior tibial nerve presenting as a tarsal tunnel syndrome. Both patients were treated surgically with good outcomes.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of a number of inflammatory arthropathies resulting in foot pain and deformity. Patients with this disease may require surgical intervention as part of their management. Many of these patients are now taking biologic agents which pose several risks to patients in the perioperative phase. The surgical team therefore need to be aware of these associated complications and how to manage these cases. ⋯ Good communication is needed between the surgical team and the local Rheumatology department managing the patient's disease in order to optimise perioperative care. Local pathways may vary from the BSR recommendations to determine the most suitable course of action with regards to continuing or stopping biologic therapy prior to foot and ankle surgery.
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Tarsal tunnel syndrome is classified as a focal compressive neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve or one of its associated branches individually or collectively. The tunnel courses deep to fascia, the flexor retinaculum and within the abductor hallucis muscle of the foot/ankle. The condition is rare and regularly under-diagnosed leading to a range of symptoms affecting the plantar margins of the foot. There are many intervention strategies for treating tarsal tunnel syndrome with limited robust evidence to guide the clinical management of this condition. The role of conservative versus surgical interventions at various stages of the disease process remains unclear, and there is a need for a structured, step-wise approach in treating patients with this syndrome based on derived empirical evidence. This narrative review attempts to scrutinize the literature to date by clarifying initial presentation, investigations and definitive treatment for the purpose of assisting future informed clinical decision and prospective research endeavours. ⋯ It is necessary that further research endeavours be pursued for the clinical understanding, assessment and treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Accordingly, a structured approach to managing patients who have been correctly diagnosed with this condition should be formulated on the basis of empirical evidence where possible.