ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiological and clinical effects of early eightbearing after distal reverse oblique osteotomy of bunionette. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2015, 52 patients who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital for bunionette deformity with a minimum follow up of one year were included in the study. Postoperatively, foot cast was applied and full weightbearing was permitted in 28 patients. And short leg splint was applied with only partial weightbearing using crutches allowed in 24 patients. Clinical scores were evaluated. Radiologically, the 4th~5th intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and 5th metatarsophalangeal angle (MPA) were analyzed preoperatively and at the final follow up visit. RESULTS: The visual analogue scale and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores improved in the partial weightbearing group and full weightbearing group, but without significant differences. The average 4th~5th IMA and average 5th MPA correction also did not showed significant differences between the partial weightbearing group and full weightbearing group. Moreover, the full weightbearing group did not encourage non-union rate compared with the partial weightbearing group. CONCLUSION: Effective bone union may be achieved through early weightbearing, resulting in better clinical outcomes. It is considered that early weightbearing did not have any effect on the changes of IMA and bone union.