Togay Koç / 11 July 2022 / Categories: Abstracts, 2016, Podium Early protected weight-bearing for acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon: do commonly used orthoses produce the required equinus? P. Ellison, L.W. Mason, G. Williams, A. Molloy Introduction: The dichotomy between surgical repair and conservative management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures has been eliminated through appropriate functional management. The orthoses used within functional management however, remains variable. Functional treatment works on the premise that the ankle/hindfoot is positioned in sufficient equinus to allow for early weight-bearing on a 'shortened' Achilles tendon. Our aim in this study was to test if 2 common walking orthoses achieved a satisfactory equinus position of the hindfoot. Methods: 10 sequentially treated patients with 11 Achilles tendon injuries were assigned either a fixed angle walking boot with wedges (FAWW) or an adjustable external equinus corrected vacuum brace system (EEB). Weight bearing lateral radiographs were obtained in plaster and the orthosis, which were subsequently analysed using a Carestream PACS system. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare means. Results: Initial radiographs of all patients in cast immobilization showed a mean tibio-talar angle (TTA) of 55.67° (SD1.21) and a mean 1st metatarsal-tibia angle (1MTA) of 73.83° (SD9.45). There were 6 Achilles tendons treated in the FAWW. Their measurements showed a mean TTA of 27.67°(SD7.71) and 1MTA 37.00 (5.22). 5 tendons were treated using an EEB; there was a statistically significant (p< .05) increase in both the TTA 47.6° (SD5.90) and 1MTA 53.67 (SD5.77) compared to the FAWW group. Discussion: Plantar-flexion at the ankle was significantly greater in the EEB comparative to the FAWW, and very similar to the initial equinus cast. The use of wedges produced an equinus appearance through the midfoot, without producing equinus in the hindfoot as the heel pad rests on the top wedge. We express caution in the use of wedges for Achilles treatment as they do not shorten the Achilles tendon and may result in a lengthened tendon and reduced plantar-flexion power in the long-term. Print 529 Tags: Achilles
3Jul2025 Basic Skills Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy Course - open for applications 03/07/2025 Read more This courses is designed to develop and extend the knowledge and skills of training foot and ankle surgeons. Techniques of arthroscopic surgery of the joints, ligaments and tendons of the ankle and foot will be presented and demonstrated. Basic Skills covers the more common procedures which a foot and ankle surgeon would be likely to need. Delegates will be given ample time to develop their skills in each of the areas listed below using cadaver limbs. Questions and case presentations will be encouraged with an expert and interactive faculty. Anterior ankle Posterior ankle Haglund’s surgery Sub-talar joint Tendoscopy Arthroscopic Ankle fusion 1st MTP joint Documents to download Basic-Course-2025-Programme-draft(.pdf, 3.19 MB) - 385 download(s) Read more
4Jul2025 Advanced Skills Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy Course - applications open 04/07/2025 Read more This courses is designed to develop and extend the knowledge and skills of established foot and ankle surgeons. Techniques of arthroscopic surgery of the joints, ligaments and tendons of the ankle and foot will be presented and demonstrated. Advanced Skills covers some more advanced and emerging techniques. Delegates will be given ample time to develop their skills in each of the areas listed below using cadaver limbs. Questions and case presentations will be encouraged with an expert and interactive faculty. 1st MTP joint Arthroscopic lateral and medial ligament repair FHL transfer Peroneal groove and Tibialis posterior Tarsal coalition excision Sub-talar fusion Chopart joint fusion Documents to download Advanced-Course-2025-Programme-draft(.pdf, 3.29 MB) - 373 download(s) Read more
2Oct2025 BOFAS Principles Course - Dubai 02/10/2025 - 04/10/2025 Read more The aim is to give Overseas Trainee Orthopaedic Surgeons a solid grounding in the principles and the decision making in Foot & Ankle Surgery. There is an emphasis on clinical examination of cases, small group discussions and learning surgical approaches in the cadaver lab. This is the first course BOFAS is running in UAE and the aim is to expand the Foot and Ankle education and training in the Middle East and Gulf area. Venue - Le Meridien, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Documents to download ACv3BOFAS-Principles-Course-Programme-DXB(.pdf, 2.13 MB) - 78 download(s) Read more
20Oct2025 BOFAS Principles Course Taunton 20/10/2025 - 21/10/2025 Read more These courses are aimed at Higher Surgical Trainees / ST3 onwards and are designed to teach the core of Foot and Ankle surgery in an informal and interactive environment. The emphasis is on clinical examination cases, discussion groups and typical day-to-day clinic scenarios. Although not an exam preparation course, content is taught to the standard expected in the FRCS(Tr & Orth) exam; that of a day-one non-specialist orthopaedic consultant. Applications will open on 1st September 2023. Venue - Taunton (TBC) Documents to download BOFAS-Course-Programme--Taunton-2025(.docx, 31.88 KB) - 561 download(s) Read more
5Jun2025 2nd Annual London Orthopaedic Meeting 05/06/2025 - 06/06/2025 Read more 2nd Annual London Orthopaedic Meeting 5th-6th June 2025 The Chicago Booth London Conference Centre, London, UK Read more
7Jun2025 World Orthopaedic Concern UK 07/06/2025 Read more World Orthopaedic Concern UK WOC is a charitable organisation and is a specialist society of the British Orthopaedic Association promoting orthopaedic education and care in developing countries. If you are interested in global orthopaedic initiatives, then click for more information. Documents to download 2025_WOC_conference_poster_FINAL(.pdf, 1.14 MB) - 169 download(s) Read more
7Jun2025 World Orthopaedic Concern UK 07/06/2025 Read more World Orthopaedic Concern UK WOC is a charitable organisation and is a specialist society of the British Orthopaedic Association promoting orthopaedic education and care in developing countries. If you are interested in global orthopaedic initiatives, then click for more information. Read more
7Nov2025 TriCountries Diabetic Foot Symposium 07/11/2025 Read more TriCountries Diabetic Foot Symposium In-person multidisciplinary event bringing together leading experts in the UK to discuss the latest advancements in diabetic foot care. Read more