For A.M. ReleaseWednesday, February 14, 2002
For more information, contact:A.J. Wright847-384-4034, [email protected]
Todd Schuetz847-384-4032, [email protected]
Claudette Yasell847-384-4035, [email protected]
Advancements in foot and ankle treatments offer patients new options
DALLAS--According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), feet cushion up to one million pounds of pressure in an hour of exercise. "Its no wonder that the foot and ankle continue to be the areas in the musculoskeletal system that render the most complaints," said Glenn B. Pfeffer, MD, San Francisco orthopaedic surgeon, at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' 69th Annual Meeting, where an update on foot and ankle health was held today.
There have been some remarkable advancements in the treatment of foot and ankle pain without surgical intervention. Shock wave treatments, similar to those treatments used to dissolve kidney stones, have been approved by the FDA to be used in treating plantar fasciitis, or chronic heel pain, by breaking up scar tissue and stimulating new blood vessel growth into the area. The treatment also offers patients a significant reduction in recovery time.
Richard Alvarez, MD, orthopaedic surgeon from the Southern Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Center at the University of Tennessee, stated that " The shock wave treatment's successes are similar to the successes of an operative procedure, with the difference being that the patient is able to return to work the next day. After a surgical procedure, a patient's recovery time can last from six to twelve weeks."
There is much anticipation that shock wave treatments may be approved by the FDA for other musculoskeletal conditions, such as posterior heel pain, treatment of fracture non-union, tennis elbow, calcific tendonitis of the shoulder and loose total joints.
Ankle arthritis is another common foot problem that effects millions of Americans. Moderate ankle arthritis, where there is damage to only a small portion of the joint, can often be treated by a new surgical procedure to replace part of the cartilage from other areas in the patient's body and use it in the ankle joint. Cartilage can also be removed from the patient, regenerated in a lab, and be placed back into the arthritic portion of the joint.
Many patients with moderate ankle arthritis may be unaware of these treatment options. Pierce Scranton, MD, president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, stated today that, "Only a small percentage of patients referred to me for arthritis need total joint replacements."
Dr. Scranton performs cartilage transplants, and cartilage regeneration, called the carticel procedure. "These are relatively uncommon procedures," stated Dr. Scranton, "but patients should be aware of and exhaust all possible options before considering joint replacement or ankle fusion surgeries".
Some severe ankle conditions fail non-operative treatment. These patients may respond better to different treatments, such as total joint replacements or ankle fusions.
Severe ankle arthritis effects a different patient group than most other forms of arthritis. Stephen Conti, MD, of Pittsburgh, Pa, stated today that he sees cases of severe ankle arthritis "where 80 percent has a history of significant trauma." As a result of trauma, younger patients are experiencing ankle arthritis from a broken bone or multiple sprains that, over time, lead to an unstable joint where arthritis will develop.
Treatment for severe ankle arthritis varies. Ankle fusion, where bones are fused together, relieves pain by immobilizing the joint and any tissue damage. However, this treatment often results in a slightly shorter leg, ankle stiffness, and most patients develop an altered gait.
Total joint replacement for severe ankle arthritis is a relatively new treatment, and offers the patient the ability to retain the ankle mobility they had prior to the surgery. Replacing the entire joint allows the patients more mobility than ankle fusion. Treatment for each patient needs to be individualized and treatment programs may vary based upon the age and character of the arthritis.
The 25,500 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.boneandjointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
The Academy's Annual Meeting is being held February 13-17, 2002, at the Dallas Convention Center, Dallas.
More information on chronic heel pain, ankle arthritis, ankle fusions and total joint replacement can be found at The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) at www.aofas.org.
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