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Background: Surgeons frequently add an Achilles tendon lengthening or gastrocnemius recession to increase dorsiflexion following total ankle replacement. Previous studies have looked at the effects of these procedures on total tibiopedal motion. However, tibiopedal motion includes motion of the midfoot and hindfoot as well as the ankle replacement. The current study examined the effects of Achilles tendon lengthening and gastrocnemius recession on radiographic tibiotalar motion at the level of the prosthesis only. Methods: Fifty-four patients with an average of 25 months follow-up after total ankle replacement were divided into 3 groups: (1) patients who underwent Achilles tendon lengthening, (2) patients who had a gastrocnemius recession, (3) patients with no lengthening procedure. Tibiotalar range of motion was measured on lateral dorsiflexion-plantarflexion radiographs using reference lines on the surface of the implants. Results: Both Achilles tendon lengthening and gastrocnemius recession significantly increased tibiotalar dorsiflexion when compared to the group without lengthening. However, the total tibiotalar range of motion among the 3 groups was the same. Interestingly, the Achilles tendon lengthening group lost 11.7 degrees of plantarflexion compared to the group without lengthening, which was significant. Conclusion: Both Achilles tendon lengthening and gastrocnemius recession increased radiographic tibiotalar dorsiflexion following arthroplasty. Achilles tendon lengthening had the unexpected effect of significantly decreasing plantarflexion. Gastrocnemius recession may be a better choice when faced with a tight ankle replacement because it increases dorsiflexion without a compensatory loss of plantarflexion. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Background Management of proximal 5th metatarsal fractures remains a controversial topic in orthopaedic surgery. Both operative and non-operative approaches have been described in the clinical setting. This confusion has led to non-standardized treatment recommendations for proximal 5th metatarsal fractures. This study was designed to analyze concordance rate of treatment recommendations between orthopaedic trainees and orthopaedic foot and ankle experts. Methods An online survey containing 14 cases of proximal 5th metatarsal fractures were distributed to 92 orthopaedic residents in two ACGME-accredited programs. Relevant weight-bearing radiographs, patient’s age and gender were provided, and two questions regarding treatment recommendations were surveyed. Resident’s recommended treatment was then matched against ultimate treatment by orthopaedic foot and ankle experts. ANOVA and T-test are used for associations between the rate of concordant treatment with PGY and trainee foot and ankle experience. Fleiss’ kappa was used to assess the inter-observer agreement. Results Seventy-two residents returned the survey. The overall concordance rate was 43.98% with no correlation between agreement rate and PGY-years. No difference in agreement rate was observed between residents who had completed their foot and ankle rotation versus those who had not. There was a slight inter-observer agreement in recommending treatment among all residents (κ = 0.117, 95% CI: 0.071–0.184). Conclusions Our data demonstrated no significant concordance between resident level in training regarding proximal 5th metatarsal fracture treatment decisions, nor between residents and subspecialty-trained foot and ankle surgeons. Increased rotations with foot and ankle fellowship-trained surgeons throughout residency may be desirable to improve the quality of residency training. Level of Evidence: III.

Category: Bunion; Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: Minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) for hallux valgus correction has become increasingly common. This technique involves an osteotomy of the first metatarsal, followed by fixation with two cannulated screws. Since screws are typically not bicortical, they rely upon bone quality within the metatarsal head for fixation strength. However, bone mineral density (BMD) within different regions of the metatarsal head is unknown. Measuring the BMD in the target region may predict the strength of the bone-screw fixation. Similar to previous work which determined the optimal position for lag screw placement in the femoral head during hip fracture fixation, this study aimed to determine average BMD within four quadrants of the metatarsal head using CT and thus predict the optimal trajectories for cannulated screws during the MIS bunion procedure. Methods: All patients between 18-75 years of age scheduled to undergo MIS hallux valgus correction by one of two surgeons experienced in the MIS technique were eligible to participate. Patients were excluded if they had a prior first metatarsal surgery, pre-existing hardware, previous first metatarsal fracture, or a history of osteoporosis treatment. Patients were enrolled prospectively, and a weight-bearing CT scan of the affected foot was obtained pre-operatively. Demographic factors including age, sex, laterality, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and smoking status as well as standard three-view weight-bearing radiographs were collected for all patients.Using the coronal CT slice at maximal metatarsal head diameter, each head was divided into equal quadrants. Hounsfield units (HU) within each quadrant were measured independently by three study investigators using our hospital’s radiology viewing software (Merge PACS; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY), and these density measurements were averaged. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA and Student’s t-test. Results: Fifteen patients were included for preliminary analysis. All patients were female. The average age was 45.7 years. 9 of the 15 included feet were right feet. Average BMI was 28.0. One patient reported active smoking prior to surgery. Comorbidities included obesity in three patients; none were diabetic. One had a history of diplegic cerebral palsy. The average HVA on a weight- bearing AP foot x-ray was 28.2°, and the average IMA was 12.6°. The BMD within the metatarsal head varied by quadrant, with the two combined dorsal quadrants having higher average BMD than the two combined plantar quadrants (122 vs 85 HU; pConclusion: The density of the metatarsal head did vary by region within the head. The highest BMD was found in the dorsal lateral quadrant, and the lowest in the plantar lateral and plantar medial quadrants, which did not differ significantly from each other. Because strength of screw fixation is predicated upon screw design as well as bone density, these results suggest that surgeons may wish to direct screws toward the dorsolateral region of the metatarsal head in order to achieve optimal fixation. Further work is needed to determine whether this varies with patient age, gender, or hallux valgus angle. [Table: see text]

Category: Arthroscopy, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Arthroscopy has been increasingly utilized to evaluate small joints in the foot and ankle. In the hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, little data exist evaluating the efficacy of arthroscopy to visualize the articular surface. The goal of this cadaveric study was to determine how much articular surface of the MTP joint could be visualized. Methods: Ten (10) fresh cadaveric foot specimens were evaluated using standard arthroscopy techniques. Arthrosocopy was performed with gravity distraction utilizing a 1.9 mm 30° arthroscope and small joint instruments. The edges of the visualized joint surface were marked with curettes and Kirschner wires; the joints were then surgically exposed and imaged. The percentage of cartilage visualized (visualized / total cartilage x 100%) was measured using ImageJ® software. Measurements include surface area visualized on axial imaging as well as arc visualized on lateral imaging Results: On the distal 2-dimensional projection of the joint surface, an average 57.5% (49.6 – 65.3) of the metatarsal head and 100% (100-100) of the proximal phalanx base were visualized. From a lateral view of the metatarsal head, an average 72° (65-80) was visualized out of an average total articular arc of 199° (192-206), for an average 36.5% (32.2 – 40.8) of the articular arc. Conclusion: The results suggest that hallux MTP arthroscopy visualizes a sizable portion of the joint surfaces. However, incomplete visualization could potentially miss a hallux metatarsophalangeal lesion. Further imaging preoperatively may improve diagnostic confidence.

Endoscopically assisted procedures have been established to provide the surgeon with minimally invasive techniques to address common Achilles conditions. Modifications to some of these techniques as well as improvements in instrumentation have allowed these procedures to provide similar clinical results to the traditional open surgeries while reducing wound complications and accelerating patient's recoveries. The available literature on these techniques reports consistently good outcomes with few complications, making them appealing for surgeons to adopt.

Ankle sprains are extremely common in female athletes, and prevention programs should focus on functional neuromuscular control to improve joint position sense, kinaesthesia, and joint force sense. The lower leg, foot, and ankle make up approximately 40% of dance injuries, and the lifetime incidence of injury is 90% in the dancer. The Female Athlete Triad consists of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. It places the female athlete at an increased risk of stress fractures in the foot and ankle.

Category: Bunion; Other Introduction/Purpose: Minimally Invasive Chevron and Akin (MICA) surgery is growing in popularity. There are now multiple studies comparing minimally invasive bunion correction to traditional open techniques. Many of these studies include percutaneous lateral soft tissue release using a specific blade, while others use an open technique. To our knowledge, there is no prior study confirming the accuracy of soft tissue release via percutaneous technique. Our objective was to evaluate the precision of the percutaneous release, both the structures released and percent release. Additionally, we identified adjacent nerves potentially at risk with a lateral soft tissue release, measuring their proximity to the incision and if they were damaged. Methods: Sixteen fresh frozen cadaveric foot specimens (8 paired limbs) underwent percutaneous lateral release utilizing a beaver blade under fluoroscopic guidance by two Foot and Ankle Fellowship Faculty who regularly perform the procedure. As described in early MICA technique papers by Redfern and Vernois, the blade was inserted into the plantar plate between the lateral sesamoid and the proximal phalanx. Then the blade was rotated laterally while the hallux was directed into varus. The goal was to release the lateral head of the Flexor Hallucis Brevis (FHB) without violating the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). During our experiment the sesamoids were able to be successfully reduced after each release. The specimens were then dissected to reveal the extent of release of the FHB and LCL. Distance was measured between the blade path and the dorsal digital branch of the deep peroneal nerve, as well as the plantar digital nerve. Results: The FHB was at least partially released in 15/16 specimens. It was completely released in two specimens. 5/16 specimens had greater than 50% but less than 100% release and 8/16 specimens had Conclusion: This study sought to verify the effectiveness of percutaneous lateral release. We found the FHB to be at least partially released in all but one case, resulting in adequate clinical correction of sesamoid position. Full FHB release may not be necessary to achieve the clinical objective of sesamoid reduction. There was no correlation between percent of FHB release and concomitant release of the LCL, which demonstrates the challenge of an isolated FHB release. The dorsal cutaneous nerve was consistently near the blade path but was never injured, suggesting patients should be counseled regarding the risk. [Table: see text]

Background:Lateral hindfoot pain in patients with flatfoot deformity is frequently attributed to subfibular impingement. It remains unclear whether this is primarily due to bony or soft-tissue impingement. No studies have used weight-bearing CT scans to evaluate subfibular impingement.Methods:Patients with posterior tibial tendonitis were retrospectively searched and reviewed. Subjects had documented flatfoot deformity, posterior tibial tenderness, weight-bearing plain radiographs, and a weight-bearing CT scan. CT scans were evaluated for calcaneofibular impingement on the coronal view and talocalcaneal impingement on the sagittal view. The distance between these structures was measured, along with the sinus tarsi volume. In the second part of this study, 6 normal volunteers underwent weight-bearing CT scans on a platform that held both feet in 20 degrees of varus, followed by 20 degrees of valgus. The same measurements were performed.Results:Thirty-five percent of flatfoot patients with posterior tibial tendonitis had bony impingement between the fibula and calcaneus on the coronal view. Thirty-eight percent had bony impingement between the talus and calcaneus on the sagittal view. Subjects with bony impingement based on CT scan had significantly higher talonavicular abduction angles on plain radiographs than those without impingement. Sinus tarsi volume decreased by more than half when the subtalar joint moved from varus to valgus in normal controls.Conclusion:Bony subfibular impingement in patients with flatfeet was less common than previously reported. Accurate diagnosis of bony impingement may be useful for surgical decision-making.Level of Evidence:Level III, retrospective comparative study.

This case of oligometastatic prostate cancer to the foot highlights the importance of: 1) metastasis remaining high in the differential for unexplained malady, in the setting of a primary cancer, despite an atypical presentation, and 2) comparing sequential imaging studies to baseline images, especially when remote, because subtle findings can declare themselves over time.

Background: Although plain radiographs have been historically used to evaluate the status of arthrodesis in the foot and ankle, computed tomography (CT) has gained popularity for evaluation of fusion status. The degree of fusion identified on CT scan has been correlated with functional outcome, with an arthrodesis area of 25-50% necessary for clinical success. In the clinical setting, orthopaedic surgeons often evaluate CT scans independently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interrater reliability of CT scans to assess the status of hindfoot or ankle fusions among orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Methods: Forty-one CT scans were identified retrospectively from the tertiary referral practices of 4 fellowship-trained orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons. Inclusion criteria were patients with ankle, subtalar, or tibiotalocalcaneal fusions. Fusions with bulk allograft were excluded. All CT scans were completed at the investigating institution. The primary author (RAC) reviewed all CT scans to ensure the adequacy and completeness of the films. Images were blinded of any patient identifiers. All 4 surgeons individually reviewed the blinded scans and determined whether the arthrodesis site was greater than or less than 50% fused. Interrater reliability was completed via kappa analysis. Results: Based on kappa analysis, there was high interrater reliability in the assessment of subtalar arthrodesis. This was not statistically significant for the evaluation of ankle arthrodesis. Conclusion: The CT scan has become instrumental in determining the adequacy of arthrodesis in the foot and ankle. The present study demonstrates the reliability of orthopaedic surgeons to ascertain the status of subtalar arthrodesis via CT scan. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of hallux valgus deformities has become increasingly popular. Knowledge of the location of the hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP) proximal capsular origin on the metatarsal neck is essential for surgeons in planning and executing extracapsular corrective osteotomies. A cadaveric study was undertaken to further study this anatomic relationship. Methods: Ten nonpaired fresh-frozen frozen cadaveric specimens were used for this study. Careful dissection was performed, and the capsular origin of the hallux MTP joint was measured from the central portion of the metatarsal head in the medial, lateral, dorsal, plantarmedial, and plantarlateral dimensions. Results: The ten specimens had a mean age of 77 years, with 5 female and 5 male. The mean distances from the central hallux metatarsal head to the MTP capsular origin were 15.2 mm dorsally, 8.4 mm medially, 9.6 mm laterally, 19.3 mm plantarmedially, and 21.0 mm plantarlaterally. Conclusion: The MTP capsular origin at the hallux metatarsal varies at different anatomic positions. Knowledge of this capsular anatomy is critical for orthopaedic surgeons when planning and performing minimally invasive distal metatarsal osteotomies for the correction of hallux valgus. Type of Study: Cadaveric Study.

Background: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in patients with large segmental bony defects presents a substantial challenge to successful reconstruction. These defects typically occur following failed total ankle replacement, avascular necrosis of the talus, trauma, osteomyelitis, Charcot, or failed reconstructive surgery. This study examined the outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis using bulk femoral head allograft to fill this defect. Methods: Thirty-two patients underwent TTC arthrodesis with bulk femoral head allograft. Patients who demonstrated radiographic union were contacted for SF-12 clinical scoring and repeat radiographs. Patients with asymptomatic nonunions were also contacted for SF-12 scoring alone. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were analyzed to determine positive predictors for successful fusion. Results: Sixteen patients healed their fusion (50% fusion rate). Diabetes mellitus was found to be the only predictive factor of outcome; all 9 patients with diabetes developed a nonunion. In this series, 19% of the patients went on to require a below-knee amputation. Conclusions: Although the radiographic fusion rate was low, when the 7 patients who had an asymptomatic nonunion were combined with the radiographic union group, the overall rate of functional limb salvage rose to 71%. TTC arthrodesis using femoral head allograft should be considered a salvage procedure that is technically difficult and carries a high risk for complications. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at an especially high risk for nonunion. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus can present a challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Because of its avascular nature, articular cartilage has a poor capacity for self-repair and regeneration. A wide variety of strategies have been developed to restore the structure and function of injured cartilage. Surgical strategies range from repair of cartilage through the formation of fibrocartilage to a variety of restorative procedures, including tissue-engineering-based strategies. A novel treatment option involves the implantation of particulated articular cartilage obtained from a juvenile allograft donor, the DeNovo NT graft. This article reviews the DeNovo NT graft, its usage, and surgical technique.

Peroneal tendon pathology includes tenosynovitis and tendonitis, tendon instability, and tendon tears. Although peroneal tendonitis may respond to nonoperative management, surgery is frequently necessary for treating peroneal tendon tears. The operative procedure is dictated by the severity of the p

Category: Ankle, Arthroscopy, Sports Introduction/Purpose: The surgical treatment of large or revision osteochondral (OCD) lesions of the talus remain challenging. Currently, there are several treatment options for these patients, including: osteochondral autograft (OATS), allograft cartilage extracellular matrix (Arthrex BioCartilage), and particulated juvenile articular cartilage allograft (Zimmer DeNovo). Due to the relative rarity of these procedures, the literature comparing these three modalities is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess midterm clinical outcomes after these surgical treatments for large or revision talar OCD lesions. Methods: Hospital IRB approval was obtained. We reviewed surgical case logs and identified 78 total patients between 2003- 2015 for inclusion in this retrospective study. Thirty-three patients were excluded due to incomplete preoperative or postoperative outcome scoring data, and 23 patients are pending followup, leaving a cohort of N = 22 patients (5 OATS, 5 DeNovo, 12 BioCartilage). Functional outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively were evaluated using Short Form 12-item Physical and Mental Health Survey (SF12 M and SF12P) and Foot Function Index (FFI) scores, ability to return to sport or work, and the need to return to the OR for revision surgery. Data were compared using paired student’s t-test and a one way ANOVA. Results: Mean age was 38y with mean followup of 4.3y (range 1.1-12.5). Of 22 patients, three were revisions. Mean lesion size was (12.6x9.1x6.5 mm). All groups showed significant improvements in FFI (p < 0.05) compared to preoperative baseline. Only the BioCartilage group showed significant improvement in SF12P (37.6 vs 47.8, pConclusion: All three treatment methods resulted in good medium-term functional results for the treatment of large or revision talar OCD lesions. However, we were unable to distinguish significant differences between OATS, Biocartilage, and Denovo, likely due to small cohort numbers and low power. Further study is warranted with increased patient numbers to improve power and differentiate among the three treatment options, as well as provide longer clinical and radiographic follow-up.

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics, Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Sinus Tarsi syndrome is a frequent cause of anterolateral foot pain following injury. Chronic lateral subtalar pain, often referred to as “Sinus Tarsi Syndrome”, is commonly reported to occur following trauma. One hypothetical epidemiological predisposing factor for sinus tarsi syndrome is flatfoot deformity with valgus hind foot alignment. Common conservative treatment includes medial heel posting to attempt to widen the sinus tarsi space and alleviate synovitic pain. Although treatment with operative intervention has been reported, no data exists to evaluate if hindfoot realignment functionally opens the sinus tarsi volume. Methods: Weight-bearing Computed Tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 5 healthy volunteers standing at rest on slanted platforms, 25 degree valgus and 25 degree varus. The volume of the sinus tarsi was measured on each scan. Cross sectional area of the sinus tarsi was measured in 3.6 mm slices from the most lateral fully enclosed image to the most lateral aspect of the middle facet of the subtalar joint. Area measurements were multiplied by cut depth (3.6 mm) and summed. Critical angle distance was measured as a straight line from the most lateral point of the lateral process of the talus to the base of the critical angle of Gissane. Subfibular distance was then measured from the most distal tip of the fibula in a straight line to the nearest point of the lateral calcaneal wall. Data were compared using a one way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: The mean sinus tarsi volume in the valgus position was 325.1 mm3 (±88) and 313.3 (±71) for the left and right foot, respectively. In the varus position, the mean sinus tarsi volume increased to 646.8 mm3 (±169) and 599 mm3 (±203). There was a significant difference between the varus and valgus position for both feet (left pConclusion: This study confirms that moving from a valgus to a varus position significantly increases the volume of the sinus tarsi as well as significantly increases the distance from the lateral process of the talus to the calcaneal angle of Gissane. Interestingly, subfibular distance did not significantly increase, although this may reach significance with increased samples. With confirmation that adjusting hindfoot positioning impacts lateral osseous impingement, future studies are warranted to correlate these findings with clinical symptoms.

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Sports Introduction/Purpose: Total ankle replacement (TAR) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) are two common surgical treatment modalities for end stage tibiotalar arthritis. A key deciding point between the two is anticipated functional outcome postoperatively, especially in regards to sports related activities. However, there is a paucity of data available to help advise patients in their decision making. While TAR provides a theoretical benefit of improved functionality, the outcomes of several European studies have shown mixed results. These studies are limited by small sample size, obsolete TAR implants not used in the United States, and nonspecific outcome measures. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative sports activity levels following modern TAR and AA in a U.S. population, which may benefit surgical decision making and guide patient expectations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study that consisted of patients who underwent a TAR (N=62) or AA (N=51) between 2009-2015. The mean age of the arthrodesis group was 57.7 years ± 12.12 (28.84-85.26). There were 27 male participants and 24 female participants. The TAR group had 31 male and 31 female participants with a mean age of 64.9 years ± 8.57 (45-79.6). Exclusion criteria included paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis, revision surgery, incomplete pre- and post-operative scores, and follow up less than 2 years. General health and foot-ankle function were assessed using the SF-12 Health Survey and the revised Foot Function Index (FFI-R) preoperatively and at final follow-up. In addition, activity levels were assessed using a Return to Activities Following Surgery questionnaire that was administered at final follow up. This form included a Visual Analog Scale for Pain, satisfaction questions, and a list of 25 activities. Patients were asked to record their current level of activity, ability to participate pre- and post-surgery, and whether their desired level was met. All three measurements tools were compared between both treatment groups. Results: The SF-12 physical score both groups significantly increased postoperatively from 33.18 ± 10.37 to 43 ± 10.32 for AA’s and from 32.88 ± 9.44 to 45.81 ± 12.94 (p < 0.001) for TAR’s. The FFI scores showed a significant increase in both groups (p < 0.001). In the AA group, 88% of patients returned to work and would repeat the surgery, compared to 92% of patients in the TAR group. In terms of satisfaction and pain, the TAR group was more satisfied (1.78 vs. 1.44) and had less postoperative pain (1.32 vs. 2.56 p < 0.05). The AA group reported a significant increase in six activities including: golf (p < 0.05), weight lifting, and walking (pConclusion: Our study revealed a significant increase in general physical function, foot function, and activity level in both groups. The TAR group was able to perform a wider range of activity and sports compared to the AA group. Overall, TAR patients were significantly more satisfied with their procedure compared to AA patients.

Freiberg’s disease is a relatively uncommon disorder of the metatarsal head. Although trauma and circulatory disturbances likely contribute major roles in its development, it is widely accepted that Freiberg’s etiology is multifactorial. Conservative treatment, focused on offloading and relieving stress, is uniformly accepted as the appropriate initial management. Surgical management can broadly be categorized as procedures which attempt to correct the pathophysiology and halt its progression, and procedures which address the sequelae of later stage disease. Newer strategies, including osteochondral transplantation, attempt to restore the damage metatarsal cartilage with a viable osteochondral plug.

Peroneal tendon injuries in the athlete are recognized with increasing frequency as a pathologic entity. Once considered uncommon, they have been attributed to many cases of persistent lateral ankle symptoms after a "typical" ankle sprain. Acute tears of the peroneus brevis, and less commonly the peroneus longus, have been implicated in sport activities and are often coexistent with peroneal instability. Subluxation typically occurs when the foot is in a dorsiflexed position and the peroneal muscles strongly contract, causing an eversion force simultaneously. Peroneal instability, as well as tearing, has been linked to ballet dancing, skiing, soccer, tennis, American football, running, basketball, and ice skating. This article discusses the mechanism of injury, methods of patient evaluation and management, complications, and outcomes.

The original design for the Agility ankle was developed and patented in the late 1970s. DePuy Orthopaedics began manufacturing the implant as the Agility Ankle System. Currently in the United States, the Agility is the most widely used ankle prosthesis. With more than 20 years of experience, the Agility Ankle System has the longest follow-up of any fixed-bearing device. Since its introduction, the Agility Ankle System has gone through several design modifications. This article briefly reviews the history of the Agility Total Ankle System and illustrates each of the modifications made with the LP implant.

Arthroscopy of the foot and ankle has evolved fromsimply a diagnostic tool to a versatile treatment modality for a variety of pathologic abnormalities. With the reputation of prolonged swelling and higher wound complication risks, the benefits of performing these foot and ankle procedures through aminimally invasive approach is evident. In addition, advancements in small joint arthroscopes and instrumentation have provided surgeons the tools to effectively expand their indications. This issue of Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America presents various arthroscopic techniques and their results, reviewing established surgical procedures, while discussing several newer ones. A diverse, international group of experts has contributed to this issue. These authors discuss current techniques, indications, and outcomes involving ankle, hindfoot, and forefoot arthroscopy, tendoscopy of the peroneals, Achilles and posterior tibial tendons, and endoscopic procedures for various conditions such as Haglund syndrome. I would like to thank all the authors for their contributions to this issue. I would also like to thank my mentor and partner, Dr Mark Myerson, Consulting Editor for Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America, for invitingme to serve as guest editor for this issue. The authors and I hope this issue introduces several new arthroscopic techniques, while stimulating further debate and interest in minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.