Twenty-two heels in 21 patients treated surgically for a primary diagnosis of insertional Achilles tendinosis were reviewed on the basis of preoperative and postoperative examinations, office records, and a comprehensive questionnaire administered to each subject. Each patient underwent surgical treatment using a midline-posterior skin incision combined with a central tendon splitting approach for debridement, retrocalcaneal bursectomy, and removal of the calcaneal bursal projection as necessary. The findings at surgery revealed involvement of the middle third of the insertion in 21 of 22 cases with only one patient manifesting isolated lateral involvement. Thirteen of 22 had an associated prominent calcaneal bursal projection and four of 22 a superficially inflamed bursa. Three patients required reinsertion of the tendo Achilles via drill holes and one underwent augmentation with a plantaris tendon. Operative findings and complications were reported. Eight male and 13 female patients underwent 22 procedures (one case bilaterally) with an average follow-up of 33 months. Preoperative symptoms include presence of symptoms over a range of three months to two years and pain associated with activities of daily living (17 of 22), limitation of regular activities (six of 22), and pain present at rest in six of 22. Postoperatively, 20 of 22 patients were able to return to work or routine activities by three months; only 13 of 22 were completely pain free. Only 13 of 22 also claimed that they were able to return to unlimited activities. Overall, there was an 82% (18 of 22) satisfaction rate with surgery and 77% (17 of 22) stated they would have the surgery again.

Sixty-seven closing wedge arthrodesis procedures of the first metatarsocuneiform joint were performed in 41 females and 12 males. Follow-up averaged 28 months (range 16-49 months) and was performed in 51 of 53 patients with a questionnaire, clinical examination, and comparison of pre- and postoperative weightbearing radiographs. The average hallux valgus angle was 34.5 degrees (range 20 degrees-75 degrees) and was corrected to 13.0 degrees (range-10 degrees-22 degrees) postoperatively. The average intermetatarsal angle was 14.3 degrees (range 9.5 degrees-34 degrees) and was corrected to an average of 5.8 degrees (range 0 degrees-12 degrees) postoperatively. Complications included seven superficial pin tract infections, three symptomatic dorsal bunions, one of which required repeat surgery, seven nonunions, one of which was symptomatic, one hallux varus, and three neuromas of the deep peroneal nerve. The range of motion of the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint was 85% of normal postoperatively. A total of 77% of the patients were totally relieved, 15% partially relieved, and 8% not relieved with respect to pain, comfort, appearance of the foot, and shoewear following surgery. The specific indications for performing this operation are discussed.

Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits underwent suture repair of a tenotomy of the left achilles tendon. The rabbits were randomized into two groups of 12 animals; in group (A), the ankle was immobilized by pinning for 35 days, while in the group (B), the ankle was immobilized for only 14 days followed by active mobilization. Following sacrifice at 35 days postoperatively, the retrieved tendons were evaluated by biomechanical testing and histologic examination. Approximately 50% of stretching occurred in the first four days; average overall elongation was 9.5+/-1.0 mm and 12.7+/-1.5 mm (p=0.102) and average stiffness recovery was 67.4+/- 2.0% and 82.9 +/- 1.9% (p=0.0004) for groups A and B respectively. Histologically both groups demonstrated traces of disorganized neo-collagen fibers at the repair site as early as the fourth day with subsequent appearance of more mature collagen. The results obtained from our study favor early mobilization of the repaired tendon, which seems to restore the functional properties of the tendons more rapidly than continuous immobilization of an identical surgical repair.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of interval (INT) and continuous (CON) cycle exercise on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Twelve males first completed a graded exercise test for VO2max and then the two exercise challenges in random order on separate days approximately 1 wk apart. The INT challenge consisted of seven 2 min work intervals at 90% VO2max, each followed by 3 min of relief at 30% VO2max. The CON exercise consisted of 30 to 32 min of continuous cycling at 65% VO2max. Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were measured for 30 min before, during, and for 2 h post-exercise. Three methods were used to analyze post-exercise oxygen consumption and all produced similar results. There were no significant differences in either the magnitude or duration of EPOC between the CON and INT protocols. HR, however, was higher (P < 0.05) while respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was lower (P < 0.05) following INT. These results indicate that when total work was similar, the magnitude and duration of EPOC were similar following CON or INT exercise. The differences in HR and RER during recovery suggest differential physiological responses to the exercise challenges.

Compression was evaluated in an intramedullary hindfoot arthrodesis cadaver model using an external fixator and a "second generation" intramedullary compression nail. Four cadaver specimens were used. Four trials were done with each specimen. Trial 1: manual compression with the 1st generation nail. Trial 2: external fixator for compression with the 1st generation nail. Trial 3: external fixator for compression with the 2nd generation nail. Trial 4: nail-mounted compression device with the 2nd generation nail. In Trial 1 it was not possible to obtain or maintain compression. In Trial 2 large values of compression were obtained with the external fixator, however compression was not maintained after the first generation nails were locked and the fixator was removed. In Trial 3 large values of compression were obtained with the external fixator, but minimal compression was maintained after the second-generation nails were locked and the fixator was removed. In Trial 4 large values of compression were obtained with the compression device and greater than 60% of the compression was maintained after the nail was locked and the compression device was released. The study revealed that both the external fixator and the compression device could produce compression. The external fixator is useful as an aid in the O.R. However, in this study significant compression was maintained only with utilization of the compression device.