Effect of joint pathology, surface preparation and fixation methods on union frequency after first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis: A systematic review of the English literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to perform a qualitative synthesis of the current literature to determine the union frequencies for first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis as well as the influence of pathology, joint preparation and fixation methods on union. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify relevant studies reporting on first metatarsophalangeal joint union frequencies. RESULTS: 26 studies with 2059 feet met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 60 years (range 18-84) and the mean follow-up was 32.6 months (range 1.5-156). The union frequency was 93.5% (1923/2059). The union frequencies were significantly higher when low velocity joint preparation methods were used (P<0.0001, Chi Square 22.5) and the pathology was hallux rigidus (P=0.002, Chi square 9.3). There were similarly high union frequencies with crossed screws, locking plate and non-locking plates. CONCLUSIONS: High union frequency can be expected following first metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis, especially when low velocity joint preparation methods are used in patients with hallux rigidus.

Joint Preserving Procedure for Moderate Hallux Rigidus: Does the Metatarsal Index Really Matter?

Surgical treatment of moderate hallux rigidus remains controversial and the optimal surgical technique has yet to be defined. Decompressive metatarsal osteotomy is one of the procedures available; however, one of the potential drawbacks is the effect of the metatarsal shortening. We evaluated the global effect of the decompressive metatarsal osteotomy, accounting for the metatarsal index. We retrospectively evaluated 78 patients with stage II and III hallux rigidus who had undergone Youngswick osteotomy and analyzed their outcomes according to the metatarsal index. The candidates for inclusion underwent clinical and radiographic evaluation, including the visual analog scale foot and ankle score, first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion, and first metatarsal protrusion distance to define the metatarsal index. Also, shortening of the first metatarsal was measured postoperatively, and the occurrence of metatarsalgia was considered a postoperative complication. The mean follow-up period was 53 ± 17 months. The groups stratified according to the metatarsal index (index plus, index plus minus, and index minus) presented with similar results (p > .05). The average preoperative visual analog scale foot and ankle score of 56.4 ± 13.8 points improved significantly to 84.1 ± 5.5 points postoperatively (p < .0001). Also, the mean preoperative dorsiflexion of 20.4° ± 1.5° improved to 37.3° ± 1.6° postoperatively (p < .0001). Of the 78 patients, 97% would recommend the procedure to a family member or friend. Four patients (6%) experienced postoperative metatarsal pain. We found consistent results with this procedure. The reported functional score and dorsiflexion improvement provide evidence that good outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction can be achieved, regardless of the metatarsal length.

A Prospective Comparison of Clinical, Radiographic, and Intraoperative Features of Hallux Rigidus: Long-Term Follow-Up and Analysis.

Forty-seven patients (50 feet) underwent surgical intervention for symptomatic hallux rigidus from February 1998 to April 1999. Thirty-eight patients (41 feet) returned at 1 year for a follow-up evaluation. Of these 38 patients, 20 (21 feet) returned for the 15-year follow-up evaluation. Subjective evaluations were performed using the modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal 100-point scale. Long-term postoperative objective physical examination and radiographic analysis were performed. These data were compared with the preoperative and short-term follow-up data. The subjective evaluation showed a statistically significant differing over the long term, with a mean increase of 27.6 points. The results of the physical examination and radiographic measurements were mixed. The long-term dorsal range of motion was not significant across surgery type. Radiographically, the procedure types resulted in similar changes, suggesting that neither joint preservation nor joint destructive procedures were more stable over time. Plantar transposition of the capital fragment, offsetting the longitudinal shortening of the first metatarsal, was not significant, confirming the short-term findings. For this patient population, the long-term results of surgical intervention for hallux rigidus, regardless of procedure type, provided subjective patient improvement but no statistically significant increase in first metatarsophalangeal joint function or dorsal range of motion.

Foot disorders, foot posture, and foot function: the Framingham foot study.

INTRODUCTION: Foot disorders are common among older adults and may lead to outcomes such as falls and functional limitation. However, the associations of foot posture and foot function to specific foot disorders at the population level remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between specific foot disorders, foot posture, and foot function. METHODS: Participants were from the population-based Framingham Foot Study. Quintiles of the modified arch index and center of pressure excursion index from plantar pressure scans were used to create foot posture and function subgroups. Adjusted odds ratios of having each specific disorder were calculated for foot posture and function subgroups relative to a referent 3 quintiles. RESULTS: Pes planus foot posture was associated with increased odds of hammer toes and overlapping toes. Cavus foot posture was not associated with the foot disorders evaluated. Odds of having hallux valgus and overlapping toes were significantly increased in those with pronated foot function, while odds of hallux valgus and hallux rigidus were significantly decreased in those with supinated function. CONCLUSIONS: Foot posture and foot function were associated with the presence of specific foot disorders.

End-stage osteoarthritis of the great toe/hallux rigidus: a review of the alternatives to arthrodesis: implant versus osteotomies and arthroplasty techniques.

Hallux rigidus is defined as end-staged arthrosis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Although the literature supports arthrodesis as being the gold standard for the treatment of end-staged hallux rigidus, there are several other treatments available that can either prolong the life of the remaining joint or artificially mimic the original biomechanics by replacing a portion of or the entire joint with the added advantage of preserving joint mobility. There are several new and emerging joint preservative techniques that may delay or prevent the need for a joint-destructive procedure, such as arthrodesis or arthroplasty.

First metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis; what is the best fixation option? A critical review of the literature.

First metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis can be accomplished using many forms of fixation. Distinguishing the best fixation construct requires evaluation of many variables. A review of the literature provides a starting point for what needs to be assessed and what questions need to be asked. In vivo and in vitro studies attempt to provide answers but frequently reveal shortcomings in the evidence to date. In the end, there is always 1 best fixation technique.

Hallux rigidus: artropatía degenerativa metatarsofalángica del primer radio. Propuesta terapéutica. Osteotomías de Watermann-Diebold más Akin modificadas / Hallux rigidus: metatarsophalangeal degenerative arthropathy of the first ray. Watermann-Diebold osteotomy + Akin Osteotomy modified

El hallux rigidus es una afección de la articulación metatarsofalángica (MTF) del primer radio con limitación de la dorsiflexión, que evoluciona hacia la artrosis y la disfunción global del antepié. Frecuentemente afecta a población adulta joven y deportista. En la presente evaluación, proponemos como objetivo exponer los resultados a corto y mediano plazo del tratamiento en estadíos I y II combinando una doble osteotomía: distal metatarsiana (Watermann-Diebold), que libera el bloqueo dorsal y de la falange proximal del hallux (Akin de acortamiento), que descomprime axialmente el radio sin crear una insuficiencia de propulsión, posibilitando el retorno deportivo. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó la clasificación clínico-radiológica de Regnauld para estatificar la enfermedad. Se tallo osteotomía distal metatarsiana a cuña sustractiva dorsal (Watermann-Diebold) combinada con una osteotomía proximal de la primera falange (Akin de acortamiento), fijadas con tornillos canulados de doble rosca. Se hicieron controles radiográficos en el postoperatorio inmediato, a las tres, seis y doce semanas y al año. La evaluación funcional se basó en el score AOFAS aplicado a las articulaciones metatarsofalángica e interfalángica del hallux. Resultados: Se evaluaron a 8 pacientes deportistas recreacionales tratados entre abril de 2009 y febrero de 2011, con un seguimiento entre 7 y 29 meses. La edad media fue de 42 años (entre 33 y 55 años), 5 mujeres y 3 varones. Los deportes que practicaban eran futbol en el caso de los varones y corredores de fondo y medio fondo las mujeres. De los 8 pacientes, 3 fueron clasificados como grado I, y 5 como grado II. El score AOFAS preoperatorio fue de 65 puntos y el postoperatorio de 78.80. Con una p= 0.001 y un intervalo de confianza 95 por ciento (9.17 - 21.07). Traducido clínicamente en una moderada recuperación en la excursión articular y reducción del dolor. Todos se reintegraron a la actividad deportiva. Conclusión: Si bien es una serie pequeña, la combinación de las osteotomías de Watermann-Diebold y Akin para pacientes adultos jóvenes deportistas en estadíos I y II Regnauld, descarga axialmente el primer rayo, disminuye el bloqueo dorsal mejorando la movilidad, alivia el dolor y permite la reincorporación a la práctica deportiva

Hallux rigidus: artropatía degenerativa metatarsofalángica del primer radio. Propuesta terapéutica. Osteotomías de Watermann-Diebold más Akin modificadas / Hallux rigidus: metatarsophalangeal degenerative arthropathy of the first ray. Watermann-Diebold osteotomy + Akin Osteotomy modified

El hallux rigidus es una afección de la articulación metatarsofalángica (MTF) del primer radio con limitación de la dorsiflexión, que evoluciona hacia la artrosis y la disfunción global del antepié. Frecuentemente afecta a población adulta joven y deportista. En la presente evaluación, proponemos como objetivo exponer los resultados a corto y mediano plazo del tratamiento en estadíos I y II combinando una doble osteotomía: distal metatarsiana (Watermann-Diebold), que libera el bloqueo dorsal y de la falange proximal del hallux (Akin de acortamiento), que descomprime axialmente el radio sin crear una insuficiencia de propulsión, posibilitando el retorno deportivo. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó la clasificación clínico-radiológica de Regnauld para estatificar la enfermedad. Se tallo osteotomía distal metatarsiana a cuña sustractiva dorsal (Watermann-Diebold) combinada con una osteotomía proximal de la primera falange (Akin de acortamiento), fijadas con tornillos canulados de doble rosca. Se hicieron controles radiográficos en el postoperatorio inmediato, a las tres, seis y doce semanas y al año. La evaluación funcional se basó en el score AOFAS aplicado a las articulaciones metatarsofalángica e interfalángica del hallux. Resultados: Se evaluaron a 8 pacientes deportistas recreacionales tratados entre abril de 2009 y febrero de 2011, con un seguimiento entre 7 y 29 meses. La edad media fue de 42 años (entre 33 y 55 años), 5 mujeres y 3 varones. Los deportes que practicaban eran futbol en el caso de los varones y corredores de fondo y medio fondo las mujeres. De los 8 pacientes, 3 fueron clasificados como grado I, y 5 como grado II. El score AOFAS preoperatorio fue de 65 puntos y el postoperatorio de 78.80. Con una p= 0.001 y un intervalo de confianza 95 por ciento (9.17 - 21.07). Traducido clínicamente en una moderada recuperación en la excursión articular y reducción del dolor. Todos se reintegraron a la actividad deportiva. Conclusión: Si bien es una serie pequeña, la combinación de las osteotomías de Watermann-Diebold y Akin para pacientes adultos jóvenes deportistas en estadíos I y II Regnauld, descarga axialmente el primer rayo, disminuye el bloqueo dorsal mejorando la movilidad, alivia el dolor y permite la reincorporación a la práctica deportiva (AU)

End-stage hallux rigidus: cheilectomy, implant, or arthrodesis?

End-stage arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) typically results in anexophytic process with marked limitation of motion. Pain may occur from the degenerative process itself and/or the bone spur formation that may become directly inflamed from shoe gear. The best surgical treatment for end-stage arthrosis of the big toe joint continues to be a controversial topic despite hallux rigidus being recognized clinically for more than 100 years. Although joint-sparing procedures are considered, arthrodesis is recommended, as this procedure is definitive and produces predictable results.

Morphology of the first metatarsal head and hallux rigidus: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: Treatment options for hallux rigidus include several conservative and surgical measures. The aetiology leading to the disease has not sufficiently been examined so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed the anatomical configuration of the first metatarsal head of 120 metatarsal bones of different collectives aiming to find a possible correlation between the geometry of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and manifestation of hallux rigidus. Wet human cadaveric specimens and macerated dry specimens served as material. The relevant parameters used for analysis were an axis running through the metatarsal head, the anatomical longitudinal axis, and the radius of curvature of the first metatarsal bone. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the radius of curvature of osteoarthritic and healthy subjects. Using the binary logistic regression, we were able to predict the probability of an occurrence of hallux rigidus in dependence of the radius of curvature. Furthermore, we were enabled to calculate a correct prediction for the appearance of osteoarthritis in 85 % of the healthy subjects, and 73 % of the osteoarthritic subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A consolidated view of the factors indicates that persons with a high risk for the appearance of hallux rigidus should be identified by measuring the radius of curvature in conventional radiographs and preventive measures to postpone the occurrence of clinically relevant hallux rigidus considered.

The cheilectomy and its modifications.

Hallux rigidus occurs in 10% of persons aged 20 to 34 years but in as much as 44% of people older than 80 years. Surgical intervention has been suggested for cases of hallux rigidus that have failed using conservative methods. The modified cheilectomy is considered by many the first-line treatment for this disease, given the procedure's inherent ability to eliminate degenerate bone and cartilage and decompress the intra-articular space, while sparing considerable cubic content of bone. Once the cheilectomy has been performed, there remains a sufficient volume of bone to perform a more definitive reconstruction if necessary.

Long-term results following Keller resection arthroplasty for hallux rigidus.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the long-term results following Keller resection arthroplasty for the treatment of hallux rigidus. We then compared them with alternative surgical methods like cheilectomy, arthrodesis and joint replacement. METHODS: Eighty-seven cases of Keller resection arthroplasty for hallux rigidus were reviewed with mean followup of 23 years. Their mean age at time of surgery was 50 years. Analysis included personal clinical evaluation with the AOFAS Hallux Score, quality-of-life assessment using the SF-36, radiographic assessment, pedobarographic evaluation and analysis of the patients' charts to detect any postoperative complications. RESULTS: At the time of followup only five (5%) feet had undergone revision surgery. For all other cases we calculated a mean AOFAS score of 83 points. Sixty-nine of 73 unrevised patients (94%) would opt for this operation again under the same circumstances. SF-36 parameters showed age related normal values. Pedobarographic assessment revealed only moderate weightbearing alterations. Our long-term results compare favorably with published results following arthrodesis, cheilectomy or joint replacement for the treatment of painful hallux rigidus. Clinical results and subjective assessments were very good and complication rates were low compared to competing methods. CONCLUSION: Keller resection arthroplasty remains a valuable surgical option for the treatment of advanced stages of hallux rigidus with high patient satisfaction, moderate weightbearing alterations and comparable low complication rate in our experience.

Total sesamoidectomy for painful hallux rigidus: a medium-term outcome study.

BACKGROUND: The nature of the sesamoid complex in the development of hallux rigidus or limitus (HL) has been poorly characterized and the role of the sesamoids in the surgical management of this condition has not been explored. Previous surgical approaches in younger active patients unsuited to destructive procedures have been limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients (36 procedures) were reviewed between 2 and 4 years following total sesamoidectomy for the management of hallux rigidus/limitus. The American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society hallux (AOFAS) clinical rating system was used to compare pre and postoperative scores. The range and quality of motion and transfer metatarsalgia were noted. The three most important patient problems and the degree to which these had been addressed by the surgery and the time to maximal improvement were noted. RESULTS: No significant functional impairment or malalignment were found. There were no instances of pain on metatarsal compression, or of transfer metatarsalgia with or without callus formation. A highly statistically significant improvement in AOFAS scores was found (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: High levels of clinical improvement and patient satisfaction were found following total sesamoidectomy. No deleterious consequences of sesamoid removal were observed. For symptomatic patients where a joint replacement/fusion is not indicated, total sesamoidectomy was beneficial as an interim procedure, for joints with a moderate (grades 2 to 3) degree of arthrosis.

Surgical management of hallux rigidus: cheilectomy and osteotomy (phalanx and metatarsal).

Cheilectomy has long been the standard treatment in the orthopedic community for mild to moderate cases of hallux rigidus, with established long-term excellent results. Osteotomies of the proximal phalanx and first metatarsal have been described mainly in the podiatric literature; they have shown good outcomes in small patient groups with short-term follow-up. Proper patient selection is critical to obtaining favorable outcomes with any of the joint-sparing procedures. Patients with severe arthritic changes and pain in the midrange arc of motion have poorer outcomes with these procedures and are better served with joint-destructive procedures, such as arthroplasty or arthrodesis.

First metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis.

Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a highly successful treatment for patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus who have failed conservative management. Before arthrodesis, the importance of host factors, such as use of nicotine, local blood supply, medical comorbidites, and use of systemic immunosuppressive agents, must be considered. Arthrodesis is currently considered the gold standard treatment for end-stage arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint. Careful attention to surgical detail is critical to achieving optimal outcomes.

Resection arthroplasty with and without capsular interposition for treatment of severe hallux rigidus.

Resection arthroplasty-known as the Keller procedure-is used for the treatment of severe hallux rigidus. As a modification of this procedure, resection arthroplasty is combined with cheilectomy and interposition of the dorsal capsule and extensor hallucis brevis tendon, which are then sutured to the flexor hallucis brevis tendon on the plantar side of the joint (capsular interposition arthroplasty). In this study the clinical and radiological outcome of 22 feet treated by interposition arthroplasty were investigated and compared with those of 30 feet on which the Keller procedure was performed. The mean follow-up period was 15 months. No statistically significant difference was found between either group concerning patient satisfaction, clinical outcome and increase in range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. At follow-up, patients who had undergone interposition arthroplasty did not show statistically significantly better American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot scores than those of the Keller procedure group. A high rate of osteonecrosis of the first metatarsal head was found in both groups. These radiological findings did not correlate with the clinical outcome at follow-up. In conclusion, no significant benefit in clinical or radiological outcome was found for capsular interposition arthroplasty compared with the Keller procedure.

Analysis of modified oblique Keller procedure for severe hallux rigidus.

BACKGROUND: Several procedures have been described for treating hallux rigidus, but all have limitations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of a modified oblique Keller procedure for treating hallux rigidus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (13 feet) with Grade III or IV hallux rigidus were treated by modified oblique Keller procedure. Average age was 64.7 years and followup was 27.2 months. Outcomes including range of motion (ROM) of first metatarsophalengeal joint, complications, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, satisfaction, osteophyte recurrence, osteonecrosis, and shortening were analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative values were statistically compared. RESULTS: Mean preoperative and postoperative ROMs were 6.5 degrees and 51.9 degrees, respectively (p < 0.005). Two feet had numbness on the dorsum of the first toe. Transfer metatarsalgia occurred in one patient. Mean preoperative and postoperative AOFAS scores were 29.1 points and 93.6 points, respectively (p < 0.005). All patients had good or excellent results. There was no recurrence of the dorsal osteophyte. One patient had radiographic mottling of the first metatarsal head. Average preoperative and postoperative first toe length was 124.3 mm and 123.1 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: This technique was a good treatment alternative for patients with end-stage hallux rigidus. It was a safe and reliable procedure that preserved range of motion and has good outcomes.

Finite element modeling of the first ray of the foot: a tool for the design of interventions.

Disorders of the first ray of the foot (defined as the hard and soft tissues of the first metatarsal, the sesamoids, and the phalanges of the great toe) are common, and therapeutic interventions to address these problems range from alterations in footwear to orthopedic surgery. Experimental verification of these procedures is often lacking, and thus, a computational modeling approach could provide a means to explore different interventional strategies. A three-dimensional finite element model of the first ray was developed for this purpose. A hexahedral mesh was constructed from magnetic resonance images of the right foot of a male subject. The soft tissue was assumed to be incompressible and hyperelastic, and the bones were modeled as rigid. Contact with friction between the foot and the floor or footwear was defined, and forces were applied to the base of the first metatarsal. Vertical force was extracted from experimental data, and a posterior force of 0.18 times the vertical force was assumed to represent loading at peak forefoot force in the late-stance phase of walking. The orientation of the model and joint configuration at that instant were obtained by minimizing the difference between model predicted and experimentally measured barefoot plantar pressures. The model were then oriented in a series of postures representative of push-off, and forces and joint moments were decreased to zero simultaneously. The pressure distribution underneath the first ray was obtained for each posture to illustrate changes under three case studies representing hallux limitus, surgical arthrodesis of the first ray, and a footwear intervention. Hallux limitus simulations showed that restriction of metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion was directly related to increase and early occurrence of hallux pressures with severe immobility increasing the hallux pressures by as much as 223%. Modeling arthrodesis illustrated elevated hallux pressures when compared to barefoot and was dependent on fixation angles. One degree change in dorsiflexion and valgus fixation angles introduced approximate changes in peak hallux pressure by 95 and 22 kPa, respectively. Footwear simulations using flat insoles showed that using the given set of materials, reductions of at least 18% and 43% under metatarsal head and hallux, respectively, were possible.

Contemporary approaches to stage II and III hallux rigidus: the role of metallic hemiarthroplasty of the proximal phalanx.

Metallic proximal phalangeal hemiarthroplasty has been described for the surgical treatment of moderate to severe hallux rigidus. This long-term follow-up of an extended case series of 37 patients who underwent the index operation demonstrated a high rate (93%) of patient satisfaction, and significant improvement in Foot Function Index scores.

Metatarsus primus elevatus in hallux rigidus: fact or fiction?

Two hundred seventy-five lateral weightbearing radiographs of isolated pathology were reviewed and stratified into hallux rigidus (n = 100), hallux valgus (n = 75), plantar fasciitis (n = 50), and Morton's neuroma (n = 50) groups. The patient population consisted of healthy individuals with no history of foot trauma or surgery. The first to second metatarsal head elevation, Seiberg index, first to second sagittal intermetatarsal angle, first to fifth metatarsal head distance, and hallux equinus angle were measured in each population. Statistically significant differences were found between the hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and Morton's neuroma populations and the hallux rigidus population, which showed greater elevation of the first metatarsal relative to the second for each radiographic measurement technique. In the hallux rigidus population, there was a statistically significant difference between grade II and grades I and III regarding the first to fifth metatarsal head distance (greater in grade II) and the hallux equinus angle (lower in grade II). A review of the literature and comparison with historical controls reveals that metatarsus primus elevatus exists in hallux rigidus and is greater than that found in hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and Morton's neuroma groups.