Parallel Pitch Lines Research Articles

Two-Year Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes Following Surgical Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Using a Central Tendon-Splitting Approach.

If conservative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) fails, surgery is often considered. Various surgical approaches have been used including the central Achilles tendon splitting approach. This study aimed to report the 2-year clinical and radiologic outcomes after surgical treatment of IAT with a central tendon-splitting approach. Seventy-five cases of IAT treated surgically via the open central tendon-splitting approach were analyzed. Clinical outcomes included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, visual analog scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores, all measured at baseline and 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Radiologic parameters measured included the Fowler-Philip angle (FPA) and parallel pitch lines (PPL). Three patients had clinically significant wound issues but healed completely by 3 weeks. Mean AOFAS score improved from 45.63 preoperatively to 94.71 at 24 months. Mean VAS score improved from 6.73 preoperatively to 0.55, mean SF-36 PCS from 35.98 to 48.74, and mean SF-36 MCS from 53.04 to 55.43 at 24 months. Satisfaction at 2 years was 94.3%. Mean FPA decreased from 62.0 degrees preoperatively to 34.0 degrees postoperatively. PPL was positive in 82.7% (62 of 75) of cases preoperatively, decreasing to 1.3% (1 of 75) postoperatively. Increasing age and higher preoperative VAS and SF-36 MCS scores were significantly associated with improvements in postoperative AOFAS, SF-36 PCS, and MCS scores. Surgical treatment of IAT via the central tendon-splitting approach achieved substantial improvements in all patient-reported outcome measures measured. These excellent clinical outcomes continued to show improvement 2 years postoperatively. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Angle of BRINK - a new way to measure Haglund's deformity.

Haglund's deformity, an abnormality of the postero-superior corner of the calcaneum, is a common, critically debated cause of posterior heel pain. Several radiological indices such as Fowler-Philip angle, Ruch pitch, Chauveaux-Liet angle, calcaneal pitch angle, parallel pitch lines, and X-Y ratio have been described to measure this deformity. However, most of these lack specificity and have variable intra- and inter-observer reliability. The study aims to describe a new radiological "angle of BRINK"(Botchu-Reilly-Iyengar-Nischal-Kakarala)to measure Haglund's deformity. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis, assessing 20 weight-bearing lateral ankle radiographs of patients with Haglund's deformity (Haglund's cohort) and 100 radiographs without the deformity (normal cohort). Demographic details and angle of BRINK to measure Haglund's deformity were measured for each patient. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test and inter-observer reliability was calculated using kappa coefficient. The mean angle of BRINK to measure Haglund's deformity in the normal cohort was 20.04° (SD 4.88), and in the Haglund's cohort was 25.1° (SD 3.3). This was statistically significant with a p-value of less than 0.0001. There was excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability with kappa value of 0.8. Our proposed radiological angle of BRINK to measure Haglund's deformity is simple and easy to calculate on standard weight-bearing radiographs. Contrary to the traditional measurements used to estimate the deformity, it has shown a good intra- and inter-observer reliability and can support surgical decision-making process for management of patients with symptomatic Haglund's deformity.

Satisfactory Functional Outcome and Significant Correlation with the Length of Haglund's Deformity after Endoscopic Calcaneoplasty: A Minimum 4-Year Follow-Up Study.

Background Haglund's syndrome is a posterosuperior calcaneal prominence with posterior heel pain causing functional disability to the patient. Operative treatment is indicated after failure of conservative measures and includes resection of the bony hump along with retrocalcaneal bursectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcome and degree of patient satisfaction after endoscopic resection of Haglund's deformity with assessment of correlation with the length of bony exostosis. Methods Seventeen patients (21 feet) with a mean age of 44.7 ± 5.1 years were included in this study. Six females and 11 males underwent endoscopic calcaneoplasty. Clinical outcome evaluation included the assessment of the visual analog scale (VAS) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS). The preoperative and postoperative lengths of bony exostosis were measured radiologically. The paired t test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared the preoperative and final postoperative means. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean follow-up period was 56.4 ± 5.1 months. Statistically significant improvements in the preoperative mean of AOFAS (from 55.7 ± 9.3 to 94.3 ± 7.1) and VAS (from 8.1 ± 1.4 to 0.7 ± 1.04) at the final follow-up were noted (P < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between clinical scores (AOFAS and VAS) and the final postoperative length of the bone above parallel pitch lines (PPLs). The patients were satisfied and returned to their previous activities without reporting major morbidities except one patient who had mild pain with exertion. Conclusion Endoscopic calcaneoplasty is a safe, less invasive surgical procedure for the management of Haglund's syndrome after failure of conservative treatment. It provided a satisfactory clinical result without serious complications at a minimum 4-year follow-up.

Novel Radiographic Measurements for Operatively Treated Haglund's Deformity.

Background: Haglund’s deformity, which is characterized by a bony prominence of the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneus, causes posterior heel pain. To date, there is no standard radiographic parameter to diagnose symptomatic Haglund’s deformity. Herein, we proposed novel radiographic measurements to distinguish between patients with and without symptomatic Haglund’s deformity. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated ankle radiographs of 43 patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic Haglund’s deformity (Haglund group) and 41 healthy individuals (control group) free of heel complaints. Fowler–Phillip angle (FPA), Heneghan–Pavlov parallel pitch lines (PPL), Haglund’s deformity height, bump height, and bump-calcaneus ratio were measured and compared between the groups. Furthermore, the reliability and cut-off value of each parameter were validated via ICC and ROC curve analysis, respectively. Results: The bump height (p < 0.001) and the bump-calcaneus ratio (p < 0.001) showed significant differences between the control and Haglund groups, unlike FPA, PPL, and Haglund’s deformity height. ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC of bump-calcaneus ratio was larger than that of bump height. The optimal threshold was 4 mm or higher for bump height and 7.5% or higher for bump-calcaneus ratio. The intra- and inter- observer ICCs were, respectively, 0.965 and 0.898 for bump height and 0.930 and 0.889 for bump-calcaneus ratio. Conclusions: This study proposes two novel radiographic parameters to identify operatively treated Haglund’s deformity, namely bump height and bump-calcaneus ratio. They are easy to measure and intuitive. Both of them are effective diagnostic parameters for Haglund’s deformity. Furthermore, bump-calcaneus ratio is more reliable diagnostic parameter than bump height.

High patient satisfaction and good long-term functional outcome after endoscopic calcaneoplasty in patients with retrocalcaneal bursitis

PurposeThe primary objective of this study was to determine the degree of patient satisfaction at a minimum of 5 years of follow-up after endoscopic calcaneoplasty. The secondary objectives were to assess functional outcome measures, pain scores, analysis of bone removal, reformation of exostosis at follow-up and correlation of the size of the exostosis and recurrent or persisting complaints.MethodsThis study evaluated patients who underwent endoscopic calcaneoplasty, between January 1st 2000 and December 31st 2010, for the diagnosis of retrocalcaneal bursitis. The evaluation consisted of PROMs (patient-reported outcome measures), a questionnaire and a visit to the outpatient clinic for physical examination and a standard lateral weight-bearing radiograph of the ankle. Patient satisfaction, functional outcomes and pain scores were measured by use of a numeric rating scale (NRS). Size of the posterosuperior calcaneal exostosis was measured on a standard lateral weight-bearing radiograph using parallel pitch lines (PPL) and the Fowler–Philip angle (PFA).ResultsThe response rate was 28 out of 55 (51%) and the median time to follow-up was 101(IQR 88.5–131.8) months. The median satisfaction score for treatment results was 8.5 out of 10 (IQR 6–10). FAOS symptoms 84.5 (IQR 58.0–96.4), FAOS pain 90.3 (IQR 45.1–100.0), FAOS ADL 94.9 (IQR 58.1–100.0), FAOS sport 90.0 (IQR 36.3–100.0) and FAOS QOL 71.9 (IQR 37.5–93.8) and median AOFAS was 100 (IQR 89–100). The median PLL difference between before operation and 2 weeks after the operation was − 4 mm (IQR-6 and -1) and the median PLL difference between 2 weeks after the operation and at follow-up was 1 mm (0–2). The median PFA was 65 (63–69) at baseline, 66.5 (60.8–70.3) 2 weeks after the operation and 64 (60.8–65.3) at follow-up.ConclusionDespite the limited response rate, this study shows high patient satisfaction and good long-term functional outcome in patients affected by retrocalcaneal bursitis who underwent endoscopic calcaneoplasty.Level of evidenceLevel IV.

Advance of diagnosis and treatment of Haglund syndrome

To review the current research on the diagnosis and treatment of Haglund syndrome. The domestic and foreign literature about Haglund syndrome in recent years was extensively reviewed to summarize and analyze the etiology, anatomy, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Haglund syndrome. The etiology of Haglund syndrome is not very clear, and it may be related to local friction and high gastrocnemius muscle tension, and there may be a certain genetic tendency. The local anatomy is more complex and there are many adjacent tissue structures. Haglund malformation may cause the impingement of the posterior heel bursa and Achilles tendon insertion, lead to wear of the posterior heel bursa and the Achilles tendon insertion, and finally result in pain. The FPA (Fowler-Philipp angle), CPA (calcaneal pith angle), PPL (parallel pitch lines), CLA (Chauveaux-Liet angle), and X/Y ratios (ratio of total calcaneal length to calcaneal tuberosity length) measured on X-ray film can be used for the diagnostic measurement of Haglund malformation. Treatment includes conservative and surgical treatment (open Haglund ostectomy, dorsal closed wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus, and arthroscopic Haglund osteotomy). Both open and arthroscopic Haglund ostectomy and dorsal closed wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus can achieve satisfactory results, but minimally invasive treatment is the current development trend. Surgeons should pay attention to the management of the calcification of Achilles tendon insertion and reconstruction of Achilles tendon insertion.

Modified Bunnell suture expands the surgical indication of the treatment of Haglund's syndrome heel pain with endoscope.

The aim of the present study was to develop a method which can solve the problem of partial tearing of the Achilles tendon insertion caused by the debridement for Haglund's syndrome using endoscopy-assisted percutaneous repair. Seven patients with Haglund's syndrome were prospectively recruited. All 7 patients (3 female, 4 male) had intratendinous calcifications. Preoperative diagnosis was made according to the clinical symptoms and diagnosis, medical examination results, plain film radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging. The patients whose average age was 35.2 years, had experienced symptoms and were treated by conservative methods for 12–24 months (average 17.1 months). All 7 cases were treated with debridement of Achilles tendon insertion site with a standard 4.0 mm bur and underwent repair treatment with a modified Bunnell suture method under direct visualization using arthroscopy. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the changes of the patient's parallel pitch lines were used to evaluate and assess the results. The follow-up period averaged 22 months. The lateral X-ray film after operation of all the heels of the patients showed that sufficient osseous planning of all the patients was completed. None of the patients converted to conventional open surgery. The average AOFAS scores of the 7 cases were improved significantly at final follow-up compared to pretherapy (P<0.005). The results of 5 of the 7 cases were excellent, 2, were good, and 0 was fair or poor. None of the cases had permanent nerve injuries, wound infections or Achilles tendon avulsion. Our study is a supplement of endoscopic repairing and strengthening of the Achilles tendon. The advantages and clinical significance of endoscopy during the treatment of Haglunds syndrome under the premise of strict control of operation indications were further verified.

Haglund’s disease: surgical outcome of calcaneal osteotomy

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The aim of the present study was to assess the surgical outcome of Haglund’s disease by calcaneal osteotomy&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; 23 cases of Haglund’s disease who failed to respond to conservative treatment were considered for surgery. Parallel pitch lines were drawn in the lateral view radiograph of the calcaneum and the bursal projection to be resected was assessed. All cases were surgically treated with calcaneal osteotomy through lateral approach and followed.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; 23 cases of Haglund’s disease were treated with this procedure and 21 were available for follow up. The mean follow-up was 15 months. &lt;span&gt;The mean preoperative AOFAS score of 60.57 points (SD= 3.23) and postoperative score of 88.71 points (SD= 3.92) was obtained. &lt;/span&gt;Three minor complications were noted&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; The results of the current study suggest that calcaneal ostectomy produces outcomes that justify surgical intervention in cases of Haglund’s disease&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Treatment of Calcified Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy by the Posterior Midline Approach

The present study investigated the clinical outcomes of the posterior midline approach in the treatment of 34 patients with significantly calcified insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The posterior midline approach was applied for the surgical treatment of 34 patients with chronic significantly calcified insertional Achilles tendinopathy after failed conservative treatment. Gastrocnemius recession was performed simultaneously for patients with gastrocnemius contracture. The Fowler-Philip angle and parallel pitch lines were measured before surgery, and the visual analog scale, Tegner score, and Victorian Institute of Sport tendon study group score were recorded before and after surgery. The mean follow-up period was 45.2 ± 17.7 (range 24 to 84) months. After surgery, the visual analog scale score had decreased notably, and the Tegner score and Victorian Institute of Sport tendon study group score had increased significantly. The posterior midline approach can achieve satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of significantly calcified insertional Achilles tendinopathy, and gastrocnemius recession (Strayer procedure) should be performed for patients with gastrocnemius contracture to improve the surgical outcome.

Radiographic, Clinical, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

The surgical correction of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) repair typically involves tendon debridement, osteophyte removal, lengthening of the gastroc-soleus complex, and resection of the posterior superior calcaneal eminence. Limited evidence has supported decompression of the superior calcaneal prominence, because this step has had a pronounced association with the surgical treatment of Haglund's syndrome. To appreciate the posterior calcaneal abnormality, 20 lateral weightbearing radiographs of asymptomatic patients were compared with 20 lateral weightbearing radiographs of patients with symptomatic IAT. The radiographs were evaluated for the calcaneal inclination angle, Fowler–Philip angle, total angle, parallel pitch lines, Chauveaux–Liet angle, and the presence or absence of retrocalcaneal enthesiophytes. Patients with IAT were also examined clinically and using magnetic resonance imaging to determine the incidence of Haglund's syndrome within the symptomatic population. A comparison of the radiographs revealed minimal differences in calcaneal morphology between the 2 populations. Of the analyzed variables, only an elevated Chauveaux–Liet angle and the presence of a retrocalcaneal enthesiophytes were characteristic of patients with IAT. The results of the present study have confirmed the absence of morphologic calcaneal variation and the presence of altered calcaneal angulations in symptomatic patients. Both the clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 25% frequency of Haglund's syndrome within the IAT population. Because these 2 diagnosis are clinically and radiographically divergent, their surgical interventions warrant distinct goals using separate methods. By understanding the abnormality, the surgeon can taper the correction precisely and specifically toward patients with IAT.

Endoscopic treatment of Haglund’s syndrome with a three portal technique

The purpose of our study is to make a retrospective evaluation of endoscopic treatment of Haglund's syndrome using a new three portal technique. All 23 patients (25 heels) with a mean age of 27.7 years were evaluated pre-operatively and postoperatively with parallel pitch lines, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Ogilvie Harris score. The mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 30-59 months). There were no obvious complications in our study. In 22 heels, postoperative lateral radiographs showed the achievement of negative parallel pitch lines. The average AOFAS score improved from 63.3 ± 11.9 points pre-operatively to 86.8 ± 10.1 points at final follow-up. There were 14 excellent results, seven good results, two fair results and two poor results. For the Ogilvie Harris score, there were 15 excellent, seven good, one fair, and two poor results. An endoscopic procedure using the three portal technique seemed to be a safe and efficacious option for surgical treatment of Haglund's syndrome.

Diagnostic significance of radiologic measurements in posterior heel pain

Background Posterior heel pain is a common complaint in both athlete and non-athlete. For diagnosis of etiology certain angles, lines and soft tissue parameters have been developed in the literature to describe the calcaneal prominence and its relationship to Achilles tendon and its bursae. Objectives A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic values of these angles, lines and soft tissue parameters in posterior heel pain. Materials and methods Seventy-one painful heels in 58 patients (30 males and 28 females, mean ± S.D. age; 41.4 ± 10.82 years) were clinically and radiologically examined. This was compared with 50 heels in 25 control subjects. A lateral weight bearing film of the foot was taken to calculate different angles, lines and soft tissue parameters mentioned in the literature. Results There were 45 Pavlov's parallel pitch line positives and using test of Denis and Huber–Levernieux in only one posterior superior crest extended beyond vertical tangential. There was only one heel with Fowler & Philip angle >75°. There were 10 heels with Steffensen & Evensen angle >65, 5 heels with total angle >90° and 52 heels with Chauveaux–Liet angle >12°. There were 73% true positive for Chauveaux–Liet angle and 63% true positive for parallel pitch line. Among soft tissue parameters ill defined retrocalcaneal recess was present in 61 symptomatic heels, plantar spur in 42 heels, posterior calcaneal step in 33 heels, Achilles tendon calcification in 29 heels, superficial tendo-Achilles bursitis in 58 heels, posterior calcaneal spur in 31 heels and antero posterior diameter of tendo-Achilles more than 9 mm in 68 symptomatic heels. Conclusion Parallel pitch lines, Chauveaux–Liet angle, ill-defined retrocalcaneal recess, superficial tendo-Achilles bursa and anteroposterior diameter of Achilles tendon more than 9 mm about 2 cm above insertion are reliable objective diagnostic indicators of bony deformity of calcaneus and soft tissue affection in patients with posterior heel pain. It is the combination of these bony and soft tissue parameters, which enhance the diagnostic certitude.

Angle Analysis of Haglund Syndrome and its Relationship with Osseous Variations and Achilles Tendon Calcification

Haglund syndrome is a cause of posterior heel pain. The prominent posterosuperior projection into the retrocalcaneal bursa is thought to be a major etiology. Many methods have been proposed to measure the posterosuperior projection of the tuberosity into this bursa. The Fowler angle and the parallel pitch lines are the most frequently used. However, the relation between symptomatic Haglund syndrome and the measuring methods, especially the Fowler angle and parallel pitch lines, is not clear. The purposes of this paper were to study the predictive value of the most frequently used measurement methods to evaluate bursal impingement and to determine if other osseous variations and Achilles tendon calcification are associated with the development of Haglund syndrome. From October, 1996, to March, 2003, we evaluated 37 heels in 31 patients with symptomatic Haglund syndrome, and 40 heels in 27 individuals without posterior heel pain. On a lateral view radiograph, the Fowler angle, and the parallel pitch lines were measured, in addition to Achilles tendon calcification and the osseous variations, such as a posterior calcaneal step spur or plantar osseous projection. The average Fowler angles in the control group and study group were 62.31 +/- 7.79 degrees and 60.14 +/- 7.01 degrees, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.490). The positive parallel pitch lines in the symptomatic group were 56.8% and in the control group 42.5%. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.474) between the groups. No statistically significant differences were noted between the groups concerning the Fowler angle and parallel pitch lines. The posterior calcaneal step spur and Achilles tendon calcification were statistically significant between these two groups. The Fowler angle and parallel pitch lines were of little predictive value for the Haglund syndrome.

Endoscopic calcaneoplasty.

Endoscopic calcaneoplasty offers access to the retrocalcaneal space, thereby making it possible to remove inflamed retrocalcaneal bursa as well as the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus in applicable cases of painful hindfoot. In this study, endoscopic calcaneoplasty was performed in 21 procedures in 20 patients. All of the patients had typical complaints of inflammation of the retrocalcaneal bursa that were unresponsive to nonoperative treatment for more than 6 months. In all patients a superior calcaneal angle of more than 75 degrees and positive parallel pitch lines were present on the lateral calcaneal radiograph. The mean follow-up was 3.9 years (range, 2 to 6.5). There were no surgical complications and no postoperative infections. One patient had a fair result, 4 patients had good results, and the remaining 15 patients had excellent results. Whether this operation is performed by endoscopic or open technique, enough bone must be removed to prevent impingement of the bursa between the calcaneus and Achilles tendon. Endoscopic calcaneoplasty is a minimally invasive technique performed in an outpatient setting and combined with a functional rehabilitation program. The procedure has low morbidity. Patients have a short recovery time and quickly resume work and sports.

The Haglund syndrome: initial and differential diagnosis.

Haglund syndrome is a common cause of posterior heel pain, characterized clinically by a painful soft-tissue swelling at the level of the achilles tendon insertion. On the lateral heel radiograph the syndrome is characterized by a prominent calcaneal bursal projection, retrocalcaneal bursitis, thickening of the Achilles tendon, and a convexity of the superficial soft tissues at the level of the Achilles tendon insertion, a "pump-bump." An objective method for evaluating prominence of the bursal projection is measurement using the parallel pitch lines. This measurement helps to identify patients with Haglund syndrome and patients predisposed to develop this condition, and also to differentiate local causes of posterior heel pain from systemic causes. The parallel pitch line measurement was determined in 10 symptomatic feet and 78 control feet and the results were analyzed statistically.