Sustainability of Forefoot Reconstruction for the Rheumatoid Foot.

Ninety percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis will display foot and ankle pathologic features, including hallux valgus, lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint subluxation/dislocation, and hammertoe deformity. Recently, a trend has ensued toward joint preservation with distal metatarsal osteotomies and various bunion corrective procedures. However, the reference standard remains first MTP joint fusion, lesser metatarsal head resection, and lesser proximal interphalangeal joint fusion. The present retrospective study followed the results of 4 different surgeons who had performed the reference standard rheumatoid forefoot reconstruction from August 2008 to August 2012 on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Radiographic and statistical analysis of the data from 20 patients determined an overall first MTP joint fusion rate of 90%, often occurring by 108 (range 64 to 202) days postoperatively. Radiographic nonunion occurred in 2 of the 20 patients (10%), although both were asymptomatic, with no revision necessary. Lesser digit deformity revision occurred in 1 patient (5%), and mild to moderate infection developed in 4 patients (20%). The radiographic and clinical follow-up period was 12 months. Our study found that this technique provides exceptional radiographic improvement, an acceptable time to fusion, a low reoperation rate, and minimal complications. In addition, correction of the deformity was maintained at 1 year postoperatively. In conclusion, first MTP joint fusion with lesser metatarsal head resection should remain the reference standard for surgical intervention of the rheumatoid foot.

Callus Distraction Versus Single-Stage Lengthening With Bone Graft for Treatment of Brachymetatarsia: A Systematic Review.

Brachymetatarsia deformity is a cosmetically displeasing anomaly that can become physically symptomatic. The surgical techniques most commonly used to repair the anomaly include single-stage lengthening with a bone graft, callus distraction, or a combination of bone grafting and callus distraction. A systematic review of the published data was performed to compare the outcomes of these 3 surgical procedures. A total of 61 studies reporting the use of callus distraction or single-stage lengthening, or both, for the treatment of brachymetatarsia were included in the present review. The incidence of major postoperative complications after callus distraction, single-stage lengthening, and the combination procedure was 49 (12.62%), 13 (3.72%), and 3 (33.33%), respectively. The number of minor complications with callus distraction, single-stage lengthening, and the combination procedure was 152 (39.18%), 55 (15.76%), and 1 (11.11%); the mean percentage of the original length achieved was 37.36%, 25.98% and 36.00%; and the mean length achieved was 17.5, 13.2, and 14.0 mm, respectively. The healing index (mo/cm) and healing time was 2.31 and 16.04 weeks, 1.90 and 9.35 weeks, and 3.93 and 14.62 weeks for callus distraction, single-stage lengthening, and the combination procedure, respectively. Our findings indicate that the callus distraction technique is associated with greater length gained but results in greater complication rates and requires almost twice the time to heal. Single-stage lengthening with a bone graft was associated with fewer complications and faster healing times than callus distraction but with lesser gains in length. From the information reported in the studies we reviewed, the prevalence of bilateral brachymetatarsia was 44.52%, and the female/male ratio was 13.7:1. Both of these findings seem to contradict the usual data given (72% for bilateral brachymetatarsia and a female/male ratio of 25:1).