SERI Technique for Isolated Juvenile Hallux Valgus Patients: A Retrospective Evaluation With Mid-term to Long-term Follow-up Silvio Caravelli, Emanuele Vocale, Marco Di Ponte, Mario Fuiano, Simone Massimi, Francesca Zannoni, Stefano Zaffagnini, Massimiliano Mosca Foot and Ankle Specialist, 2025 Introduction Many different operative procedures have been described to treat hallux valgus, but many of them are inappropriate for active, skeletally immature patients. This retrospective evaluation aimed to show the efficacy of SERI (Simple, Effective, Rapid, Inexpensive) technique in young patients affected by mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity at a mid-term to long-term follow-up. Methods All patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated, independently by 2 researchers, by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux-Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal score and radiographic examination. Results Twenty-nine feet, undergone SERI procedure, have been reviewed at a mean follow-up of 5 years. The mean AOFAS score was significantly improved from 59.7 preoperatively to a mean value of 90.7 at last follow-up. Mean correction degrees have been recorded for both angles (hallux valgus angle [HVA] −13.7° and intermetatarsal angle [IMA] −6.7°). Conclusions The SERI technique represents a powerful surgical procedure for the treatment of painful, mild to moderate, juvenile hallux valgus. Recurrence and complication rate make this surgical approach effective, repeatable, and safe. Level of Evidence: Level IV, Retrospective case series
Ruptures of the Plantar Fascia: A Systematic Review of the Literature Massimiliano Mosca, Mario Fuiano, Simone Massimi, Davide Censoni, Giuseppe Catanese, Alberto Grassi, Silvio Caravelli, Stefano Zaffagnini Foot and Ankle Specialist, 2022 Introduction Rupture of the plantar fascia is a rare condition. It can also occur spontaneously and with no history of disease of the plantar fascia, above all in athletes. This review aims to systematically analyze all cases described in the literature regarding the rupture of the plantar fascia, evaluating incidence, risk factors, and treatments, considering which procedures show the best outcomes and the highest success rate. Materials and methods A systematic review of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane review computerized databases was performed, focusing on articles about cases of rupture of the plantar fascia; 18 studies fulfilled all the criteria and were analyzed. There were no randomized controlled trials. Results A total of 155 patients (157 foot) were included in this systematic review. Considering all the studies included, 12 patients had a spontaneous rupture, 138 patients had a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, and 130 patients were treated with local injections of corticosteroid before the rupture. Only 2 cases of bilateral rupture were reported. In all, 15 studies reported conservative treatment, with a total of 154 patients (156 feet) included. Operative treatment was reported in 3 studies, with 3 patients (3 feet) treated. Conclusions Ruptures of the plantar fascia are very rare in asymptomatic patients and more common in patients treated with injection of steroids in the plantar fascia. Conservative treatment, although not standardized in the literature, led to good outcomes in most cases. Chronic ruptures of the fascia should be considered for operative treatment. Levels of Evidence: Level III
Clinical radiographical outcomes and complications after a brand-new total ankle replacement design through an anterior approach: A retrospective at a short-term follow up Massimiliano Mosca, Silvio Caravelli, Emanuele Vocale, Simone Massimi, Davide Censoni, Marco Di Ponte, Mario Fuiano, Stefano Zaffagnini Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021 Recently, the progress in techniques and in projecting new prosthetic designs has allowed increasing indications for total ankle replacement (TAR) as treatment for ankle osteoarthritis. This retrospective work comprehended 39 subjects aged between 47 and 79 years old. The patients, observed for at least 12 months (mean follow up of 18.2 ± 4.1 months), have been evaluated according to clinical and radiological parameters, both pre- and post-operatively. The AOFAS and VAS score significantly improved, respectively, from 46.2 ± 4.8 to 93.9 ± 4.1 and from 7.1 ± 1.1 to 0.7 ± 0.5 (p value < 0.05). At the final evaluation, the mean plantarflexion passed from 12.2° ± 2.3° to 18.1° ± 2.4° (p value < 0.05) and dorsiflexion from a pre-operative mean value of 8.7° ± 4.1° to 21.7° ± 5.4° post-operatively (p value < 0.05). This study found that this new total ankle replacement design is a safe and effective procedure for patients effected by end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. Improvements have been demonstrated in terms of range of motion, radiographic parameters and patient-reported outcomes. However, further studies are needed to assess the long-term performance of these prostheses.
Foot and Ankle Stress Fractures in Athletics Silvio Caravelli, Simone Massimi, Thomas P. A. Baltes, Jari Dahmen, Pieter D’Hooghe, Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs Management of Track and Field Injuries, 2021
Achilles tendon reconstruction with peroneus tendon transfer following epithelioid sarcoma resection: a rare case report at 5 years follow-up Federica Mariotti, Silvio Caravelli, Massimiliano Mosca, Simone Massimi, Roberto Casadei, Stefano Zaffagnini Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics, 2020 Background Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare in hand and foot. In this paper we present a case of reconstruction of Achilles tendon defect with peroneus brevis transfer reinforced with medial gastrocnemius fascia and plantaris tendon after excision of a local recurrence of epithelioid sarcoma. Case presentation Fifty-five years-old female. MRI showed a lump of 5 × 2,5 × 2 cm into Achille’s tendon with invasion of the anterior fat tissue but no invasion of the surrounding bones. The patient underwent excision of the tumour and reconstruction of the tendinous defect with peroneus brevis transfer. Surgical technique has been widely described. Discussion and conclusions Epithelioid sarcoma arising from the Achilles tendon is an extremely rare malignant tumour in an atypical site and may easily be confused with other soft tissue masses. It presents a technical challenge because of the large tendon defect remaining following wide resection. Reconstruction with peroneus brevis transfer, reinforced with medial gastrocnemius fascia and plantaris tendon, restore appropriate structural continuity and resistance. Functional results are satisfactory.
