The Blackburn Foot and Ankle Hyperbook  
Evidence based education in foot and ankle surgery

The Foot and Ankle Hyperbook is an evidence-based resource on foot and ankle surgery. It is mainly aimed at orthopaedic trainees, but colleagues from other disciplines have found it useful. Although members of the public tell us they have read it with interest, it is aimed at professionals in the field of foot and ankle surgery. It is associated with Orthoteers, the premier online resource for orthopaedic trainees.

The Hyperbook is written by members of the multidisciplinary East Lancashire Foot and Ankle Service team.

We intend that it should give enough material to allow a candidate to sit the FRCS(T+O) examination with confidence. The exceptions are in the areas of basic biomechanics and paediatric orthopaedics, where you would need to supplement your reading.

The articles in the Hyperbook are based on the latest evidence available at the time each page was last revised. Where possible we emphasise the findings of randomised controlled trials and other high-quality evidence. In many areas of foot and ankle surgery, such evidence is not available and we have tried to summarise the findings of case series and other similar work. In response to user feedback, we tend to summarise evidence rather than discuss individual studies in detail, unless it is necessary to illustrate an important point.

Most of the Hyperbook consists of standard HTML pages. However, we are gradually moving over to using Flash presentations. Our users tell us these are generally easier to learn from. To view these you will need the Flash viewer, which is available free at:

Flash download page

Although we try to ensure that the Hyperbook offers high-quality evidence-based information, please bear in mind that it is written by busy clinicians in their spare time and is free. Some of the articles are more extensively illustrated or referenced than others. Some topics are covered in more detail than others. There may be conclusions with which you disagree. We welcome suggestions for improvements, provided you are willing to be patient and preferably to write for the Hyperbook yourself!

Trauma General conditions Ankle Hind/midfoot Tendons First ray Lesser rays
Pilon fractures Diabetic foot Post-traumatic ankle problems (introduction) Tarsal joint problems Achilles tendonopathy Hallux valgus Metatarsalgia
Malleolar fractures Rheumatoid foot Instability Heel pain/plantar fasciitis Tibialis posterior tendonopathy / adult acquired flatfoot Hallux rigidus Interdigital neuroma
Ankle ligament injuries Pes cavus Osteochondral lesions Tarsal tunnel syndrome Peroneal tendonopathy and instability Hallux varus MTP instability
Achilles tendon rupture Flatfoot Impingement Sinus tarsi syndrome   Ingrowing toenail Freiberg's disease
Talus fractures   OA Ganglia   Subungual exostosis Bunionette
Calcaneal fractures   Rheumatoid disease     Sesamoid problems Lesser toe problems
Lisfranc injuries            
5th metatarsal fractures