Metatarsal head restoration versus dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy in the treatment of advanced-stage Freiberg's disease.

PURPOSE: Freiberg's disease is mostly characterized by osteonecrosis of second metatarsal head and is widely seen in adolescent women. Metatarsal head restoration technique is a novel surgical procedure intended to protect intact articular surface and regenerate avascular bone under cartilage. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the results and clinical outcomes of metatarsal head restoration technique with those of dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy technique in patients with advanced-stage Freiberg's disease. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 60 patients who were operated for Freiberg's disease were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups as who underwent metatarsal head restoration and dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy. Groups were compared according to "American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score" (AOFAS), "visual analog score" (VAS) and passive "range of motion" (ROM) score. RESULTS: Thirty-two feet of 29 patients underwent metatarsal head restoration, while 33 feet of 31 patients were subject to dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy. Mean AOFAS score increased from 58.72 ± 6.89 to 89.35 ± 7.43 following metatarsal head restoration, while it increased from 54.13 ± 6.12 to 78.24 ± 6.54 after dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy. Mean VAS score decreased from 6.89 ± 1.18 to 1.33 ± 0.64 after metatarsal head restoration, while it decreased from 6.64 ± 0.92 to 2.71 ± 1.91 following dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy. Mean ROM increased from 12.25° ± 1.65 to 56.28° ± 2.77 after metatarsal head restoration, and it increased from 11.18° ± 0.66 to 47.65° ± 2.05 after dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy (all p < 0.05). In addition, postoperative mean AOFAS (p = 0.044), VAS (p = 0.041) and passive ROM (p = 0.034) scores improvement were found to be statistically significantly better in the metatarsal head restoration group. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that metatarsal head restoration is a safe and successful surgical technique. It leads to better results than dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy in patients with stages 3-4 Freiberg's disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Results of two different surgical techniques in the treatment of advanced-stage Freiberg's disease.

BACKGROUND: Freiberg's disease is an osteochondrosis most commonly seen in adolescent women and characterized by pain, swelling and motion restriction in the second metatarsal. The early stages of this disease can be managed with semirigid orthoses, metatarsal bars and short leg walking cast. Number of operative methods are suggested which can be used depending on the pathophysiology of the disease, including abnormal biomechanics, joint congruence and degenerative process. We evaluated the outcomes of the patients with Freiberg's disease who were treated with dorsal closing-wedge osteotomy and resection of the metatarsal head. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 16 patients (11 female, 5 male) with a mean age of 24.5 (range 13-49 years) years who underwent dorsal closing wedge osteotomy or resection of the metatarsal head were included in this retrospective study. Second metatarsal was affected in 13 and third metatarsal in three patients. According to the Smillie's classification system, ten patients had type IV osteonecrosis and six patients had type V. The results of the patients were evaluated using the lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (LMPI) scale. RESULTS: According to the LMPI scale, the postoperative scores for the osteotomy and excision groups were 86 (range 64-100) and 72.6 (range 60-85), respectively. In the osteotomy group, mean passive flexion restriction was 18° (range 0°-35°) and mean passive extension restriction was 12° (range 0°-25°). Mean metatarsal shortening was 2.2 mm (range 2-4 mm) in the osteotomy group as opposed to 9.8 mm (range 7-14 mm) in the excision group. Significant pain relief was obtained in both groups following the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The decision of performing osteotomy or resection arthroplasty in the patients with advanced-stage Freiberg's disease should be based on the joint injury and the patients should be informed about the cosmetic problems like shortening which may arise from resection.

Modified Weil osteotomy for the treatment of Freiberg's disease.

BACKGROUND: Numerous metatarsal osteotomies have been developed for the treatment of Freiberg's disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of modified Weil osteotomy in the treatment of Freiberg's disease. METHODS: From November 2001 to July 2008, nineteen patients (twenty feet), treated surgically for Freiberg's disease, were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 33.6 years (range, 17 to 62 years), the mean follow-up period was 71.6 months (range, 41 to 121 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale, the patients' subjective satisfaction and range of motion (ROM) of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. In the radiologic evaluation, initial metatarsal shortening by Freiberg's disease compared to opposite site, metatarsal shortening after modified Weil osteotomy compared with preoperative radiography and term for radiologic union were observed. RESULTS: VAS showed improvement from 6.2 ± 1.4 to 1.4 ± 1.5 at last follow-up (p < 0.0001). Points of AOFAS score increased from 63.3 ± 14.9 to 80.4 ± 5.6 (p < 0.0001). ROM of MTP joints also improved from 31.3 ± 10.1 to 48.3 ± 13.0 degrees at last follow-up (p < 0.0001). According to Smillie's classification system, there was no significant improvement of VAS, AOFAS score and ROM between early stages (stage I, II, and III) and late stages (stage IV and V). Out of twenty cases, nineteen (95%) were satisfied, reporting excellent or good results. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Weil osteotomy is believed to be a useful method for the treatment of Freiberg's disease, not only in the early stages but also in the late stages. It relieves pain and improves function via shortening of metatarsals and restoration of MTP joint congruency.

Modified Weil Osteotomy for the Treatment of Freiberg's Disease

BACKGROUND: Numerous metatarsal osteotomies have been developed for the treatment of Freiberg's disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of modified Weil osteotomy in the treatment of Freiberg's disease. METHODS: From November 2001 to July 2008, nineteen patients (twenty feet), treated surgically for Freiberg's disease, were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 33.6 years (range, 17 to 62 years), the mean follow-up period was 71.6 months (range, 41 to 121 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale, the patients' subjective satisfaction and range of motion (ROM) of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. In the radiologic evaluation, initial metatarsal shortening by Freiberg's disease compared to opposite site, metatarsal shortening after modified Weil osteotomy compared with preoperative radiography and term for radiologic union were observed. RESULTS: VAS showed improvement from 6.2 +/- 1.4 to 1.4 +/- 1.5 at last follow-up (p < 0.0001). Points of AOFAS score increased from 63.3 +/- 14.9 to 80.4 +/- 5.6 (p < 0.0001). ROM of MTP joints also improved from 31.3 +/- 10.1 to 48.3 +/- 13.0 degrees at last follow-up (p < 0.0001). According to Smillie's classification system, there was no significant improvement of VAS, AOFAS score and ROM between early stages (stage I, II, and III) and late stages (stage IV and V). Out of twenty cases, nineteen (95%) were satisfied, reporting excellent or good results. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Weil osteotomy is believed to be a useful method for the treatment of Freiberg's disease, not only in the early stages but also in the late stages. It relieves pain and improves function via shortening of metatarsals and restoration of MTP joint congruency.

Weil Osteotomy for Freiberg's Disease / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the result of combined Weil and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy for Freiberg's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed combined Weil and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the second metatarsal under the diagnosis of Freiberg's disease in 7 patients, 7 feet (2 male and 5 female). The mean age at the time of operation was 29 years and the mean follow-up period was 31 months. Patients had no trauma history and no combined deformity of the foot. The surgical results were evaluated by VAS and weight bearing radiographs in antero-posterior and oblique projection. RESULTS: According to Smillie staging system, there were 1 of stage II, 2 of stage III and 4 of stage IV patients. The osteotomy site was united at 8 weeks and the second metatarsal was shortened in length of average 2.8 mm. Remodeling of the metatarsal head was observed at 24 months. The mean VAS was decreased from 8.2 points preoperatively to 2.7 points at follow-up. And average range of motion of second metatarso-phalangeal joint was increased from 30o preoperatively to 45o at follow-up. There was no transfer metatarsalgia or arthritis of the metatarsal head during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Combined Weil and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy of the metatarsal appears to be an effective procedure for the treatment of Freiberg's disease with a view to shortening of metatarsal length and elevation of metatarsal head.

Treatment of Calcaneovalgus Deformity Following Operative Treatment of Diplegic Equinovarus Deformity in Cerebral Palsy Patient: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Calcaneal or calcaneovalgus deformity can occur after surgical treatment of equinus or eguinovarus deformity in cerebral palsy patient. It is a serious complication and the results of many conservative and operative treatments are reported unsatisfactory. We experienced one case of both calcaneovalgus deformity following operative treatment of diplegic equinovarus deformity in a spastic cerebral palsy patient and report about the result of the treatment.

Operative Treatment of Old Neglected Freiberg's Infraction (Comparison of Three Techniques) / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We compared the results of three surgical procedures of the old neglected Freiberg's disease that was managed with metatarsal head reshaping, metatarsal head resection, and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From march 1996 to July 2002, five cases in six patients whose metatarsal head collapse already progressed underwent operative treatment. We compared the operative results in the view point of the radiographic follow-up and lesser toe metatrasophalangeal joint scale of AOFAS. RESULTS: There were no further joint destruction and loose body formation. Also, lesser toe metatrasophalangeal joint scale of AOFAS improved from average score, 38.5 (range 22~49) of preoperative one to average score, 86.6 (range, 72~100). Especially, the 2 cases that underwent dorsal closing wedge osteotomy showed most favorable result and the 2 cases with metatarsal resection showed next favorable result. The 2 cases with intra-articular loose body removal and metatarsal reshaping showed the least effective result among three operative methods. CONCLUSION: Our Operative experiences of old neglected Freiberg's disease were all satisfactory irrespective of operative options and dorsal closing wedge osteotomy was thought to be most effective method.

Dorsal Closing Wedge Osteotomy in Freiberg's Disease / 대한정형외과학회잡지

This etiology of Freiberg's disease, an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the second metatarsal head, has not been clarified. In 1979, Gauthier and Elbaz treated 53 cases of the advanced Freiberg's disease by a new technique, that is, dorsal closing wedge osteotomy, and their result was successful. Recently, in 1989, Zollinger identified that the load per surface area is concentrated at the dorsal rather than plantar surface of the second metatarsal head during walking by an experimental dynamic study, and this theory explained why the lesion of the disease is confined to the dorsal surface of the second metatarsal head, and provided a basic concept on the dorsal closing wedge osteotomy. The authors reviewed 5 cases of Freiberg's disease treated by dorsal closing wedge osteotomy from September 1989 to February 1994, and the average follow-up period was 2 years and 5 months(range, 12 to 50 months). The results were as follows; 1. All were female, and the average age at the time of operation was 29.4 years(range, 22 to 43 years). 2. All were pain-free at the last follow-up. 3. The range of motion(ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint was increased postoperatively; average ROM: preoperative, 33°/ postoperative 77°; mean gain of ROM, 44° So, dorsal closing wedge osteotomy is a recommendable procedure for the treatment of advanced Freiberg's disease.