Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that responds to dopaminergic drugs, indicating a common pathophysiology with Parkinson's disease (PD). The prevalence of RLS was estimated in a group of PD patients and its clinical and biochemical characteristics were analysed. Forty-eight patients with PD were evaluated into two groups, with and without RLS. Clinical characteristics assessed in both groups were age, gender, duration of PD, Hoehn and Yahr, and Schwab and England scales. Laboratory variables such as hemoglobin, s-iron, s-ferritin and creatinine were obtained. The prevalence of RLS was 18.75%. No significant differences regarding clinical variables and biochemical parameters were observed. The high prevalence of RLS found in PD patients suggests the concept of a common etiological link and it seems that secondary causes did not play a central role in the pathophysiology of RLS in this group of parkinsonian patients. Key words: restless legs syndrome, Parkinson's disease, prevalence, ferritin.Síndrome das pernas inquietas na doença de Parkinson: características clínicas e correlações bioquímicas RESUMO A síndrome das pernas inquietas (SPI) é um distúrbio sensitivo-motor que responde aos agentes dopaminérgicos, demonstrando uma possível semelhança fisiopatológica com a doença de Parkinson (DP). Foi avaliada a prevalência da SPI em um grupo de pacientes com DP e suas características clínicas e laboratoriais. Quarenta e oito pacientes diagnosticados com DP foram divididos em dois grupos: com e sem SPI. Características clínicas como idade, sexo, duração da DP, escalas de Hoehn e Yahr, e Schwab e England e achados bioquímicos como hemoglobina, ferro sérico, ferritina sérica e creatinina foram obtidos. A freqüência da SPI foi de 18,75%. Não se observaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas quanto às características clínicas e aos achados bioquímicos. A alta prevalência de SPI encontrada em pacientes com DP sugere associação entre essas duas doenças. É provável que causas secundárias não exerçam papel central na fisiopatologia da SPI nesse grupo de pacientes parkinsonianos. Palavras-chave: síndrome das pernas inquietas, doença de Parkinson, prevalência, ferritina.

Background: Assessment of operative correction of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) has been traditionally performed by clinical evaluation and conventional radiographic imaging. Previously, a 3-dimensional biometric weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) tool, the foot ankle offset (FAO), has been developed and validated in assessing hindfoot alignment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of FAO in evaluating operative deformity correction in AAFD. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, 19 adult patients (20 feet) with stage II (flexible) flatfoot deformity underwent preoperative and postoperative standing WBCT examination at mean 19 months (range, 6-24) after surgery. Three-dimensional coordinates of the foot tripod and center of the ankle joint were acquired by 2 independent and blinded observers. These coordinates were used to calculate the FAO using dedicated software, and subsequently compared pre- and postoperatively. The FAO is a previously validated biometric measurement that represents centering of the foot tripod as well as hindfoot alignment, with a normal mean FAO of 2.3% ± 2.9%. In addition, Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) clinical outcomes scores were compared pre- and postoperatively with a mean follow-up of 22.6 months (range, 14-37). Results: There was significant correction of flatfoot deformity from a mean preoperative FAO of 9.8% to a mean postoperative value of 1.3% ( P < .001). Additionally, there was statistically significant improvement in all PROMIS domains ( P < .05), except depression, at an average follow-up of 22.6 months. Spring ligament reconstruction was the only procedure associated with a significant correction in FAO ( P = .0064). Conclusion: The FAO was a reliable and sensitive tool that was used to evaluate preoperative deformity as well as postoperative correction, with patients demonstrating both significant improvement in FAO as well as patient-reported outcomes. These findings demonstrate the role for biometric 3-dimensional WBCT imaging in assessing operative correction after flatfoot reconstruction, as well as the potential role for operative planning to address preoperative deformity. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.

Peroneal tendon disorders are common causes of lateral and retromalleolar ankle pain. For irreparable tears of the tendon, a salvage procedure is indicated with segmental resection followed by reconstruction with tenodesis, tendon transfer, or bridging the defect using allograft or autograft. Although there is insufficient evidence to guide which of these treatment options provides the best outcomes, reconstruction with tendon allograft has provided satisfactory clinical results and is effective for pain relief and restoration of tendon function. However, there are concerns about the use of tendon allografts which include its cost and availability, disease transmission, delayed incorporation, and stretching of the graft. The aim of this study is to present the surgical technique for the reconstruction of the peroneus brevis tendon tears using semitendinosus tendon autograft as an alternative to the allograft and report the short-term results of three cases.

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Background: Zone 1 fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal are usually treated nonsurgically using some type of immobilization. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and functional outcomes, time to return to prior activity levels, and rate of bone healing when using a hard-soled shoe (HSS) vs a controlled ankle motion (CAM)–walker boot (CWB). Methods: Seventy-two consecutive patients with zone 1 fractures of the fifth metatarsal base were treated conservatively with either an HSS or CWB by 2 different providers. We included 57 women and 15 men, average age of 41.3 (range, 16-88) years. Radiographic findings, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and American Orthopaedic Ankle & Foot Society (AOFAS) midfoot score were assessed. Patients were followed at 4, 8, 10, 12, and 24 weeks or until asymptomatic and able to return to prior level of activities. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U, Fisher exact, and chi-square tests. P values <.05 were considered significant. Results: Age and gender distributions were similar in both groups ( P = .23 and P = .57). Patients had similar VAS and AOFAS scores after 8 ( P = .34 and P = .83) and 12 ( P = .87 and P = .79) weeks. Average time for bone healing was significantly faster using the CWB (7.2 weeks) when compared to the HSS (8.6 weeks) ( P < .001). The average time to return to prior level of activities was similar in both groups (8.3 weeks for CWB and 9.7 weeks for HSS) ( P = .11). Fracture displacement was equal in both groups, with a mean of 1.9 mm of displacement in patients using the HSS, and a mean of 1.6 mm in those using the CWB ( P = .26). Conclusion: Zone 1 fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal can be treated conservatively with either a hard-soled shoe or a CAM-walker boot. Even though patients treated in the CAM-walker boot demonstrated earlier signs of complete healing, similar clinical and functional results were achieved with both treatments. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.