The floating first metatarsal: a case report

First Metatarsal Headphones-Like Lesion: A Case of Unreducible Sesamoid Complex Dislocation

CASE

A 34-year-old woman sustained a direct trauma to the left hallux during a fall. Radiographs showed a dorsal dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and a wide separation of sesamoid complex. Closed reduction was tried: postreduction radiographs displayed reduction of first metatarsophalangeal joint and a complete sesamoid complex dislocation. The patient was scheduled for surgery. Through a medial approach, open reduction together with plantar structures release and repair were performed. Functional and radiographic outcomes were satisfactory at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In case of a "headphones-like lesion" surgery is required, together with plantar structures repair.

The term "floating" used in traumatic orthopedics

BACKGROUND

The term "floating" is used in orthopedic literature to describe certain patterns of skeletal injuries that share one common character which is disruption and discontinuity of bones above and below a joint. The first time used in orthopedic literature being in late 1970 to describe a type of elbow injury. Later the word was used increasingly and applied to a variety of injuries affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, forearm, hand, and ankle. Currently, there are about 12 different skeletal injuries described as floating.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article was to define the term "floating" used in traumatic orthopedics and to discuss its history, mechanism of injury in each region, treatment and outcomes based on the currently available literature. As there were many separate articles describing different sites of floating injuries, this review aimed to summarize all floating injuries into 1 article.

Dislocation of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: A Case Report and Suggested Classification System

Dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a relatively rare and still poorly known injury. The current classification includes only the dorsal variety of this lesion; thus, as further cases of other varieties are reported, a larger understanding of this entity is required. We report the case of a young male with dorsal dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint treated by closed reduction. The clinical outcome at the 2-year follow-up point is reported. A review of the published data of the variations of this injury reported to date is included, and a new summarizing classification is suggested.

Three floating metatarsals and a half-floating cuneiform

Floating metatarsals are rare and complex injury patterns in the world of foot trauma. The injury is typically characterised by concomitant dislocations of the metatarsals from both articular ends ('bipolar dislocations'). Fascination arises from the fact that there have been only 15 cases reported in the English literature from 1964 to date. The first metatarsal has been more frequently reported than the lesser metatarsals. More than one floating metatarsal is also extremely uncommon. Inter-cuneiform diastasis is another rare entity seen in low velocity injuries and sports injuries; this condition is very difficult to diagnose clinically and radiologically. The occurrence of these two injury patterns in isolation is itself rare, making their combination even more unique.

Locked floating first metatarsal: open reduction and no fixation - case report

Level of Evidence: V, Expert Opinion