Background Morton’s neuroma is a painful enlargement of the plantar digital nerve between the metatarsal heads that causes pain of the forefoot. Several approaches have been used to treat Morton’s neuroma, each of them having distinct advantages and disadvantages. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of neurectomy in the treatment of Morton’s neuroma through plantar and dorsal approaches. Materials and methods A total of 20 patients with a mean age of 48.5 ± 13.0 years (range: 19–66 years) who underwent excision of a Morton’s neuroma that did not respond to conservative treatment were retrospectively analysed from June 2014 to June 2021. All the neurectomies were performed using a plantar or dorsal approach. Outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), and complications. The appearance index (AI) was also used to assess the influence of foot appearance on the quality of life after surgery. Results Eight patients underwent neurectomy by the dorsal approach, and 12 patients underwent neurectomy by the plantar approach. The average follow-up time was 28.9 ± 12.9 months (range: 15–72 months). No statistically significant difference was found between the dorsal and plantar approach groups with respect to postoperative pain measured by the VAS score. The postoperative AOFAS scores and FAAM outcomes were not significantly different between the groups. The complications reported in the dorsal approach group were significantly less than those of the plantar group, mainly discomfort in wearing shoes. The AI of the plantar group and the dorsal group were significantly different. Conclusion The excision of the Morton’s neuroma by both the dorsal and plantar approach resulted in satisfactory outcomes. However, the foot appearance after surgery by the plantar approach had less influence on the quality of life than that using the dorsal approach. Our recommendation is that surgeons should choose the approach they are most familiar with and with which they are most confident in performing. In addition, the plantar approach is recommended if the patient needs a better appearance.

Background: The current techniques for medial malleolar osteotomy may lead to posterior tibial tendon injury and have a high rate of malunion. Purpose: To describe a novel partial step-cut medial malleolar osteotomy technique and evaluate its technical feasibility and its advantages compared with traditional methods. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The novel technique consisted of osteotomy of the anterior one-third to two-thirds of the medial malleolus. A total of 19 ankles (18 patients) with osteochondral lesions of the talus underwent the novel osteotomy technique before osteochondral reconstruction. All patients were evaluated for more than 2 years. Radiographs were analyzed for postoperative displacement and malunion, and postoperative ankle function was evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Results: The partial step-cut osteotomy technique was able to provide adequate intra-articular exposure without disturbing the posterior tibial tendon. The 19 ankles healed at a mean of 7.3 ± 1.5 weeks (range, 6-12 weeks). There was slight incongruence in 4 ankles, with a displacement of 1.0 ± 0.1 mm proximally and 0.3 ± 0.1 mm medially. The mean postoperative AOFAS and VAS scores improved compared with preoperatively, from 54.2 ± 12.1 to 84.6 ± 6.6 and from 6.4 ± 1.0 to 1.8 ± 1.3, respectively ( P < .001 for both). No intraoperative tendon injuries were observed. Conclusion: Results indicated that partial step-cut osteotomy is a reliable and effective method for providing enough exposure, avoiding displacement after reduction, and not disturbing the anatomic structures behind the medial malleolus.

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The paper analyzes the mechanism of real estate prices on economic development with panel quantile regression model. It is found that real estate prices can significantly promote economic development. Generally speaking, the contribution of real estate prices to economic development in regions with higher level of economic development is higher than that in regions with lower level. With the continuous improvement of the quantile, the impact of real estate prices has generally increased gradually, and the impact of urbanization level basically shows the law of diminishing marginal effect.

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