Background: Hallux valgus affects footwear tolerance, body image, and social participation, particularly among white-collar women who adhere to formal dress codes. While clinical outcomes of hallux valgus surgery are well described, little is known about how women in office-based occupations experience postoperative recovery. This study explored the lived experiences of women at least 12 months after surgical correction of mild-to-moderate hallux valgus using distal first-metatarsal osteotomy with adjustable intramedullary T-plate fixation. Methods: A qualitative interpretivist approach was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively selected Turkish-speaking white-collar women who underwent surgery between January 2021 and January 2024. All had ≥12 months of follow-up. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis guided by Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) principles. Trustworthiness was supported through member checking, an audit trail, negative case analysis, and peer debriefing. Data saturation was reached at 27 interviews. Results: Twenty-seven women (mean age 43.04 ± 4.66 years) participated. Six themes emerged: (1) expectations and motivations; (2) postoperative physical experience; (3) aesthetic perception; (4) psychological responses; (5) social and domestic support; and (6) footwear identity and adaptation. Participants described meaningful gains in comfort, confidence, and mobility. The ability to choose footwear freely, rather than endure pain, was central to their sense of recovery. Improvements in self-image and ease in professional and social settings were also emphasized. Conclusions: Across six interrelated themes, white-collar women described postoperative recovery as a multidimensional process encompassing footwear autonomy, body image, occupational confidence, physical experience, psychological responses, and social support. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating footwear expectations and workplace needs into preoperative counselling and postoperative care.
17 March 2026 in European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery
The selection of an implant is a critical factor in the surgical treatment of patella fractures due to the risk of various complications, such as non-union, implant failure, and irritation. The present study evaluated and compared the biomechanical strength of headless cannulated screws about screw length using the tension band wiring technique. Forty-eight sawbone patellas with transverse fractures were divided into three fixation groups based on the screw length used in tension band wiring. Overall, three different fixation groups were determined: Group 1 (recessed headless cannulated screw fixation), Group 2 (full-length headless cannulated screw fixation), and Group 3 (protruding headless cannulated screw fixation). A setup was used to simulate a knee with a flexion angle of 60 degrees. Specimens underwent biomechanical testing under axial traction (static test) and cyclic loading (dynamic test). Displacements at 300 Newtons (N), loads at 2 millimetres (mm) displacement, and failure loads were documented for each sample in the static test. In the dynamic test protocol, 10,000 repetitive cycles were performed under physiological load between 100 and 300 N, and final displacements were recorded. There were significant differences in the loads achieved at 2 mm displacement levels, and Group 3 demonstrated lower force values compared to other constructs in the static test (P = 0.003). All groups revealed similar displacements at 300 N and failure load values under axial traction. In the dynamic test, Group 3 had significantly higher fracture displacement under cyclic loading compared to the other specimens (P = 0.006). This study found headless cannulated screws for transverse patella fracture fixation provide sufficient stability; however, protruding headless screws reduce the fixation strength. Recessed or full-length screws may improve stability and bony healing, potentially preventing complications in patella fractures. Biomechanical study N/A.
13 February 2025 in European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery