Clinical Research Directory

Resurfacing of Foot and Distal Leg Soft Tissue Defects Using Reversed Pedicled Peroneal Artery Flaps Augmented by Superficial Sural Artery

Wounds involving the skin and soft tissue of the lower leg, ankle, heel, and foot can be difficult to treat because there is very little skin and tissue available in that area to cover the wound. When the wound is large or involves exposed bone or tendon, a flap, which is a piece of skin and tissue moved from a nearby area, is needed to close it. This study evaluates a surgical technique called the Reversed Peroneal Artery Flap (RPAF). In this procedure, a flap of skin and tissue from the outer side of the lower leg is lifted and rotated to cover the wound. The blood supply to the flap comes from the peroneal artery, which runs along the fibula bone, and is augmented by the superficial sural artery to improve flap survival. The study will include 30 adult patients who have soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle, heel, or foot. All patients will undergo the RPAF procedure at Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. The main goal is to measure how well the flap survives after surgery. Secondary goals include assessing complications, functional recovery, and the condition of the donor site.

The Safety of Reusing Walking Boot Components for Patients Recovering From Acute Foot and Ankle Injuries

The investigators primary purposes is to determine the safety of reusing a specific durable medical equipment (DME) item (walking boots) components for patients recovering from acute foot and ankle injuries. The investigators secondary purpose is to determine the number of reuse episodes specific walking boot components can endure without increased failure rates. To support further study of DME reuse, product design, and advocate for evolving regulations that promote waste reduction via development of reusable DME products in the US.