INTRODUCTION:The most common foot deformity in newborns is the forefoot adduction deformity (FAD), where the hindfoot foot is in a normal position. The diagnosis for this problem is mainly based on a physical examination. The use of imaging methods has been described, but no advantage was shown with their utilization in determining the diagnosis and guiding treatment. Several classification systems have been proposed to characterize the degree of severity. The classifications are based on the degree of deviation and the flexibility of the foot. Early diagnosis and early treatment, if necessary, are extremely important to improve the chances of treatment success. Treatment depends on the severity of the deformity. For mild deformities the treatment is conservative - follow-up or stretching of the foot. The usual treatment for severe deformities is serial casting. Several orthoses have recently been proposed to address the problem and these demonstrated similar results, higher comfort and satisfaction, lower cost and a similar side effect profile. Surgical treatments to correct the deformity are reserved for cases where conservative treatment failed and for older children. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the subject, describe the ways to diagnose and classify the deformity, and present the variety of ways to treat the problem including the use of innovative braces. In addition, we will offer a protocol for the treatment of the deformity that is accepted in our institution. The protocol will assist primary care physicians to both diagnose and treat appropriate deformities, and know when a specialist referral is necessary.

This study aimed to explore the effects of the lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the incidence and characteristics of hip fracture in older adults. Data from the three-month lockdown period and the corresponding period in the previous year were obtained from the computerized medical records of a large acute-care hospital. No significant differences were observed in the absolute and relative numbers of hip fractures. There were no significant differences in terms of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, which are considered risk factors for falls. Similarly, there was no difference in the length of time between admission and surgery and the mean length of hospital stay. Compared to the previous year, there was a significantly higher incidence of hip fractures in older adults living alone during the lockdown. Health policy should provide social support and monitoring of healthcare, particularly to older adults living alone.

Nonspecific lower back pain affects a major part of the population at a certain point of their life. The intensity of pain can be debilitating and it causes a significant burden on society. Trigger point dry needling is a method of alleviating such pain by the introduction of needles into trigger points in muscles. A growing body of evidence supports its use in myofascial pain and specifically lower back pain. Submarine Medicine is a unique field due to the special characteristics and the environment of the submarine. It poses challenges that are not always seen by primary care physicians. Here, we present a case of a 40-yr-old senior submarine officer who complained of pain in his lower back and pelvis before departing on a mission. The pain persisted in spite of treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and he was then treated by the submarine's physician with trigger point dry needling. The officer showed rapid improvement following this treatment, both regarding pain and the range of motion.