Foot & ankle international
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative footbaths reduce bacterial colonization of the foot.
Previous studies have demonstrated higher infection rates following elective procedures on the foot and ankle compared with procedures involving other areas of the body. Previous studies also have documented the difficulty of eliminating bacteria from the forefoot prior to surgery. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain if preoperative chlorhexidine bathing decreased the number of bacteria on the forefoot. ⋯ These data indicate that chlorhexidine provides better reduction in skin flora than placebo. Based of these data, we recommend the use of a chlorhexidine footbath in addition to standard surgical preparatory agent before foot and ankle surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Intralesional autologous blood injection compared to corticosteroid injection for treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. A prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
The response of chronic plantar fasciitis to any treatment is unpredictable. Autologous blood might provide cellular and humoral mediators to induce healing in areas of degeneration, the underlying pathology in plantar fasciitis. This study compared the efficacy of intralesional autologous blood with corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis present for more than 6 weeks. ⋯ Intralesional autologous blood injection is efficacious in lowering pain and tenderness in chronic plantar fasciitis, but corticosteroid is more superior in terms of speed and probably extent of improvement.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study.
Plantar fasciitis frequently responds to a broad range of conservative therapies, and there is no single universally accepted way of treating this condition. Modalities commonly used include rest, ice massage, stretching of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, foot padding, taping, shoe modifications (steel shank and anterior rocker bottom), arch supports, heel cups, custom foot orthoses, night splints, ultrasound, and casting. To our knowledge, no prospective, randomized, placebo controlled double-blind study has evaluated the efficacy of oral NSAIDs in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. ⋯ These results provide some evidence that the use of an NSAID may increase pain relief and decrease disability in patients with plantar fasciitis when used with a conservative treatment regimen.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Syndesmosis fixation: a comparison of three and four cortices of screw fixation without hardware removal.
Great variability exists in methods of stabilization for syndesmotic disruptions of the ankle. We hypothesized that syndesmotic screw fixation with 3.5-mm fully threaded cortical screws through either three or four cortices would have similar strength and rate of mechanical failure and that retention of screws after fracture healing would not result in adverse clinical symptoms. ⋯ The data suggest that either three or four cortices of fixation can be used when stabilizing syndesmotic injuries of the ankle. There was a trend towards higher loss of reduction in the group with tricortical fixation when weightbearing restrictions were not followed. Retention of the syndesmotic screws, even with mechanical failure, does not pose a clinical problem. Weightbearing can be allowed at 6 to 10 weeks without routine removal of screws.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Personal gait satisfaction after displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures: a 2-8 year followup.
Patients' satisfaction with gait after calcaneal fracture has rarely been studied. The objective of this paper was to determine how patient demographics, fracture type and treatment affected gait satisfaction after displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. The design of the study is a prospective randomized trial performed in four Level I trauma centers. ⋯ Subcategories determined that younger patients who were self-employed and treated operatively had improved gait scores. Treatment (operative or nonoperative) of calcaneal fractures did not affect gait satisfaction according to patient outcome scores.