ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Regardless of potential and actual complications, the sesamoidectomy either tibial side or fibular side or both, had been used as a surgical option for various pathologic conditions. The objective of this cadaveric study was to identify the changes of range of motion of great toe after sesamoidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight fresh cadaver legs were used. The angular changes of the hallucal articulations were measured by traction of the flexor hallucis longus tendon at the proximal border of fibro-osseous tarsal tunnel and by traction of the extensor hallucis longus tendon at the superior border of inferior extensor retinaculum. The measurement started at neutral position and proceeded to the maximum for respective tendons. After sesamoidectomy either partial or total, same procedures were repeated and the angular changes were measured. RESULTS: In flexion of great toe, there were significant metatarsophalangeal angular differences at 1 cm traction in total sesamoidectomy and lateral sesamoidectomy. In extension of great toe, there were significant metatarsophalangeal angular differences at more than 2 cm traction in total sesamoidectomy. In other measurements, there were no significant angular changes of the hallucal articulations. CONCLUSION: The sesamoidectomy resulted in change of motion of great toe. Statistical analysis showed that the significant increases in the initial flexion and maximal extension occurred with total sesamoidectomy and the significant increase in the initial flexion occurred with lateral sesamoidectomy.