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Diagnostics
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Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management
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Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Imaging and Theranostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 7785

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Chul Hyun Park

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
Interests: foot and ankle disease; trauma; sports medicine; orthopedics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues

We are pleased to announce a new Special Issue of Diagnostics, titled “New Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Treatment”.

The landscape of foot and ankle surgery is undergoing a transformative shift, with unprecedented advancements in both diagnosis and treatment modalities. Cutting-edge imaging technologies, such as MRI and CT scans, offer unparalleled insights into the intricate structures of the foot and ankle, enabling more accurate diagnoses of conditions ranging from ligament injuries to degenerative joint diseases. Additionally, novel surgical techniques, including arthroscopy and robotic-assisted procedures, are revolutionizing treatment approaches, allowing for minimally invasive interventions with reduced post-operative pain and faster recovery times. Moreover, the integration of regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma therapy and stem cell injections, into patient care holds promise for promoting tissue healing and restoring function in damaged foot and ankle tissues.

This Special Issue will include research advancing current knowledge in the field of foot and ankle diseases. In this Special Issue, original research articles, reviews, and case presentations are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Chul Hyun Park
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • orthopedics
  • foot and ankle
  • advances
  • diagnosis
  • treatment
  • prognosis

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3569 KiB  
Article
Role of Ultrasonography and MRI in Acute Hamstring Strains: Diagnostic and Prognostic Insights
by Yusuke Hirahata, Youichi Yasui, Jun Sasahara, Takahiro Inui, Takumi Nakagawa, Hirotaka Kawano and Wataru Miyamoto
Diagnostics 2025, 15(9), 1053; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15091053 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Objectives: Hamstring strain injuries are common in elite athletes and affect return-to-sport timelines. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold-standard method for assessing injury severity, ultrasonography (US) is a more accessible and cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between [...] Read more.
Objectives: Hamstring strain injuries are common in elite athletes and affect return-to-sport timelines. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold-standard method for assessing injury severity, ultrasonography (US) is a more accessible and cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between US and MRI in the diagnosis of hamstring injuries and their prognostic value in predicting recovery. Methods: This retrospective study included elite athletes who sustained acute first-time hamstring strains and underwent both MRI and US within five days after injury. The injuries were classified according to location (muscle belly, musculotendinous junction, or tendon) and severity (modified Peetron’s classification). The agreement between the imaging findings and return-to-sports timelines was analyzed. Results: US demonstrated a 70% agreement with MRI in identifying injury locations, showing the highest concordance for muscle belly injuries (90%), followed by musculotendinous junction (80%) injuries, but a lower accuracy for tendon injuries (60%). Recovery times differed significantly by location and severity (p < 0.01), with tendon grade 3 injuries requiring the longest recovery (383 days) and muscle belly injuries requiring the shortest recovery (16 days). Musculotendinous junction grade 2, tendon grade 1, and tendon grade 2 injuries had similar recovery durations (57–65 days). Conclusions: High-resolution US is a reliable diagnostic tool for muscle belly and musculotendinous junction injuries. However, MRI remains essential for high-grade tendon injuries. US serves as the first-line imaging modality, with MRI reserved for cases that require a detailed prognostic assessment. These findings provide guidance for optimizing imaging strategies for hamstring injury management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management)
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28 pages, 5912 KiB  
Article
Utility of Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography in the Postoperative Assessment of Ankle Fractures
by Mateusz Malik, Jakub Kwiatkowski, Artur Gądek, Agnieszka Lechowska-Liszka and Henryk Liszka
Diagnostics 2025, 15(6), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15060750 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Background: Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries requiring surgical intervention. Standard radiographs are typically used for postoperative assessment; however, some patients continue to experience residual symptoms despite satisfactory radiographic outcomes. Weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT), though not yet widely integrated into clinical [...] Read more.
Background: Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries requiring surgical intervention. Standard radiographs are typically used for postoperative assessment; however, some patients continue to experience residual symptoms despite satisfactory radiographic outcomes. Weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT), though not yet widely integrated into clinical practice, offers potential advantages in evaluating lower-limb deformities, injuries, and arthritis. This study explores the utility of WBCT for the midterm assessment following ankle fracture fixation and compares its findings with those obtained from standard radiographs. Methods: In this retrospective case study, we analyzed the correlations between the functional outcome scores approximately one year post-surgery and parameters assessed using WBCT. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate these correlations, and a t-test was performed to assess their statistical significance, with a threshold p-value of 0.05. Additionally, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated as a supplementary descriptive measure, without significance testing. These correlations were then compared with those obtained from standard ankle radiographic views (anteroposterior, lateral, and mortise). Results: Several correlations were identified between WBCT parameters and functional scales, with certain parameters demonstrating high statistical significance (p < 0.05). Overall, the correlations observed for WBCT were stronger than those for standard radiographs. Conclusions: Although the study cohort was limited, the findings suggest that WBCT may provide additional insights beyond conventional radiography. Further research with larger patient groups is needed to establish its clinical relevance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management)
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13 pages, 9303 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Plantar Vein Thrombosis
by Frederico Celestino Miranda, Adham do Amaral e Castro, Ariadne Moura Obrigon, Alexandre Leme Godoy-Santos, Durval do Carmo Barros Santos, Laercio Alberto Rosemberg and Atul Kumar Taneja
Diagnostics 2024, 14(12), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14121215 - 8 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1729
Abstract
Plantar vein thrombosis (PVT) is an underdiagnosed condition affecting the deep plantar veins, with challenging clinical diagnosis, often presenting with non-specific symptoms that mimic other foot pathologies. This study assessed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of patients diagnosed with PVT to contribute [...] Read more.
Plantar vein thrombosis (PVT) is an underdiagnosed condition affecting the deep plantar veins, with challenging clinical diagnosis, often presenting with non-specific symptoms that mimic other foot pathologies. This study assessed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of patients diagnosed with PVT to contribute to the understanding of this condition. We performed the comprehensive analysis of a substantial dataset, including 112 patients, with a total of 130 positive MRI scans (86 of the forefoot and 44 of the ankle) presenting with PVT. Upon evaluating all the veins of the feet, we observed a higher frequency of involvement of the lateral plantar veins (53.1%) when compared to the medial veins (3.8%). The most affected vascular segments in the forefeet were the plantar metatarsal veins (45.4%), the plantar venous arch (38.5%), and the plantar communicating veins (25.4%). The characteristic findings on MRI were perivascular edema (100%), muscular edema (86.2%), venous ectasia (100%), perivascular enhancement (100%), and intravenous filling defects (97.7%). Our study provides valuable insights into the imaging evaluation of PVT and shows that MRI is a reliable resource for such diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management)
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Review

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19 pages, 3759 KiB  
Review
Weight-Bearing CT: Advancing the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hallux Valgus, Midfoot Pathology, and Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity
by Dong-Il Chun, Jaeho Cho, Sung Hun Won, Otgonsaikhan Nomkhondorj, Jahyung Kim, Chi Young An and Young Yi
Diagnostics 2025, 15(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15030343 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 937
Abstract
Since its introduction, weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) has gained prominence due to its ability to produce accurate three-dimensional images under natural loading conditions, making it particularly useful for assessing complex foot deformities. This review aimed to focus on the diseases of the foot [...] Read more.
Since its introduction, weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) has gained prominence due to its ability to produce accurate three-dimensional images under natural loading conditions, making it particularly useful for assessing complex foot deformities. This review aimed to focus on the diseases of the foot and categorized the pathological conditions into forefoot disease (hallux valgus), midfoot disease (Lisfranc injuries and midfoot osteoarthritis), and progressive collapsing foot deformity. For each category, the authors detail how WBCT enhances diagnostic accuracy and informs treatment strategies. In hallux valgus, WBCT allows for more precise measurement of established parameters and reveals crucial information about metatarsal pronation and ray instability. For midfoot pathologies, WBCT’s superiority in detecting subtle Lisfranc injuries and characterizing midfoot osteoarthritis is emphasized, highlighting the development of novel measurement techniques. The review extensively covers the application of WBCT in assessing the complex three-dimensional features of PCFD, including hindfoot valgus, midfoot/forefoot abduction, medial column instability, peritalar subluxation, and valgus tilting, presenting several WBCT-specific measurements and the use of distance mapping to quantify joint surface interaction. The authors conclude that WBCT, potentially enhanced through integration with artificial intelligence (AI), represents a significant advancement in foot and ankle care, promising improved diagnostic accuracy, streamlined treatment planning, and, ultimately, better patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management)
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12 pages, 1999 KiB  
Review
Minimally Invasive Forefoot Surgeries Using the Shannon Burr: A Comprehensive Review
by Jun Young Choi and Chul Hyun Park
Diagnostics 2024, 14(17), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14171896 - 29 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1740
Abstract
Since the early 2000s, minimally invasive forefoot surgery (MIS), particularly hallux valgus correction, has significantly advanced with the introduction of the Shannon burr. However, despite numerous relevant studies being published, no comprehensive review articles have summarized MIS for various forefoot conditions. Therefore, in [...] Read more.
Since the early 2000s, minimally invasive forefoot surgery (MIS), particularly hallux valgus correction, has significantly advanced with the introduction of the Shannon burr. However, despite numerous relevant studies being published, no comprehensive review articles have summarized MIS for various forefoot conditions. Therefore, in this comprehensive review, we examined the relevant studies about the application of MIS (excluding arthroscopy and endoscopy) for various forefoot conditions. Additionally, we discuss the essential considerations for achieving favorable surgical outcomes and preventing complications associated with each technique. We analyzed the characteristics of each surgical procedure and identified areas for future focus. Effective surgical treatment not only requires MIS, but also the appropriate selection of patients based on suitable indications and executing procedures within the surgeon’s capabilities. We hope that this review will help readers to enhance their expertise in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management)
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14 pages, 7734 KiB  
Review
Weight-Bearing CT for Diseases around the Ankle Joint
by Jahyung Kim, Jaeyoung Kim, Saintpee Kim and Young Yi
Diagnostics 2024, 14(15), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14151641 - 30 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
Weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) enables acquisition of three-dimensional bony structure images in a physiological weight-bearing position, which is fundamental in understanding the pathologic lesions and deformities of the ankle joint. Over the past decade, researchers have focused on validating and developing WBCT measurements, [...] Read more.
Weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) enables acquisition of three-dimensional bony structure images in a physiological weight-bearing position, which is fundamental in understanding the pathologic lesions and deformities of the ankle joint. Over the past decade, researchers have focused on validating and developing WBCT measurements, which has significantly enhanced our knowledge of common foot and ankle diseases. Consequently, understanding the application of WBCT in clinical practice is becoming more important to produce improved outcomes in the treatment of disease around the ankle joint. This review will describe an overview of what is currently being evaluated in foot and ankle surgery using WBCT and where the course of research will be heading in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Foot and Ankle Surgery: Diagnosis and Management)
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