Episode 4: Foot & Ankle Edition — Vol. 1, Issue 1

Today's foot and ankle edition covers six open-access studies spanning pediatric and adult pathology. We examine biomechanical effects of foot orthoses in children with flexible flatfoot, compare distal versus proximal metatarsal osteotomy performance in hallux valgus surgery, evaluate hybrid minimally invasive correction for flexible flatfeet in young adults, analyze recurrence patterns between MICA alone versus MICA plus DMMO procedures, assess L-shaped hook plate fixation for calcaneal tuberosity fractures, and review soft tissue reconstruction techniques for iatrogenic hallux varus.

1. "Biomechanical effects of foot orthoses in children with flexible flat foot; a systematic review." — Zangi M et al., J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng — https://doi.org/10.1177/20556683261429364
2. "Performance of Distal and Proximal First Metatarsal Osteotomy in Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." — Harahap R et al., Orthop Rev (Pavia) — https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.158949
3. "Hybrid minimally invasive correction for flexible flatfeet in young adults: a prospective cohort study." — Elhalawany AS et al., SICOT J — https://doi.org/10.1051/sicotj/2025070
4. "Recurrence and Function After Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Correction: A Dual-Centre Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study of MICA Alone vs MICA+DMMO." — Genuth G et al., Foot Ankle Orthop — https://doi.org/10.1177/24730114261420163
5. "Fixation for calcaneal tuberosity fracture (beak fracture) using preformed "L-shape" hook plate." — Zhang Q et al., Front Surg — https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2026.1745665
6. "Management of Iatrogenic Hallux Varus with Local Soft Tissue Reconstruction: A Case Series with Mid-Term Outcomes." — Izturov B et al., Orthop Rev (Pavia) — https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.157981