Interposition Arthroplasty in the Treatment of End-Stage Hallux Rigidus: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Patients affected by moderate to severe hallux rigidus may opt for interposition arthroplasty to avoid the movement restrictions of arthrodesis and the complications related to prosthetic replacement. The propose of this article was to review the current literature about interposition arthroplasty to examine the overall outcomes and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different types of technique, compared with more consolidated procedures.

METHODS

A literature PubMed search was performed. Studies reporting the results of interposition arthroplasty in moderate to severe hallux rigidus were included. The data were pooled and weighted for number of patients in every study.

RESULTS

The overall results for interposition arthroplasties are comparable to other alternatives for end-stage hallux rigidus, providing better plantar load distribution than arthrodesis and avoiding the drawbacks of prosthetic replacement. Among the various interposition arthroplasty techniques, the Modified Oblique Keller Capsular Interposition Arthroplasty technique preserves toe length and flexor hallucis brevis function, showing the highest satisfaction rate, with lowest metatarsalgia and revision rate.

CONCLUSION

Although long-term randomized controlled trials are lacking for interposition arthroplasty, it represents a valid alternative for the treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus also in the young active patient who wants to avoid a definitive intervention immediately.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III (systematic review of level III-IV-V studies).

SERI Technique for Isolated Juvenile Hallux Valgus Patients: A Retrospective Evaluation With Mid-term to Long-term Follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Many different operative procedures have been described to treat hallux valgus, but many of them are inappropriate for active, skeletally immature patients. This retrospective evaluation aimed to show the efficacy of SERI (Simple, Effective, Rapid, Inexpensive) technique in young patients affected by mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity at a mid-term to long-term follow-up.

METHODS

All patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated, independently by 2 researchers, by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux-Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal score and radiographic examination.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine feet, undergone SERI procedure, have been reviewed at a mean follow-up of 5 years. The mean AOFAS score was significantly improved from 59.7 preoperatively to a mean value of 90.7 at last follow-up. Mean correction degrees have been recorded for both angles (hallux valgus angle [HVA] -13.7° and intermetatarsal angle [IMA] -6.7°).

CONCLUSIONS

The SERI technique represents a powerful surgical procedure for the treatment of painful, mild to moderate, juvenile hallux valgus. Recurrence and complication rate make this surgical approach effective, repeatable, and safe.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Retrospective case series.

Treatment of Osteochondral Lesion of the First Metatarsal Head: Osteochondral Graft Transplantation Combined With Moberg Osteotomy: Case Report

Most osteochondral lesions of the first metatarsal head are likely traumatic in etiology. The treatment ranges from microfractures to mosaicplasty. In this case report, we describe a central osteochondral lesion of the first metatarsal head treated with osteochondral graft obtained from the head of the same metatarsal in combination with Moberg osteotomy. After surgical treatment, the patient's American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Forefoot Scale score improved from 58 to 85, and the range of motion also improved. This technique may be an alternative treatment modality for osteochondral lesions of the first metatarsal.Level of Evidence: Level V.

Early Catastrophic Failure of a Synthetic Cartilage Implant for Hallux Rigidus

Hallux rigidus is a common arthritic disorder of the foot. Surgical treatments are varied, from isolated cheilectomy to arthrodesis. A synthetic cartilage implant has been embraced recently as a joint-sparing alternative to arthrodesis, with good early and midterm outcomes. However, early clinical failures have been described relating to implant subsidence. This case report focuses on another mode of failure consisting of early catastrophic wear resulting in conversion to a lengthening arthrodesis at short-term follow-up.Levels of Evidence: Level V.

Consumer Prices for Surgical Management of End-Stage Hallux Rigidus

Background. Hallux rigidus is the most prevalent arthritic condition of the foot. Treatment of end-stage disease traditionally consists of a first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis; however, the use of a synthetic cartilage implant is becoming more common. With the high prevalence of disease and implementation of new treatment modalities, health care consumers should be aware of the costs associated with management. The purpose of this study was to determine access to the cost and variability in price of first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implantation. Methods. Forty academic centers were contacted using a standardized patient script. The patient was a 59-year-old female who had failed conservative treatment of hallux rigidus. Each institution was contacted up to 3 times in an attempt to obtain a full bundled operative quote for a first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implantation. Results. Twenty centers (50%) provided a quote for first MTPJ arthrodesis and 15 centers (38%) provided a quote for synthetic cartilage implantation. Only 14 centers (35%) were able to provide a quote for both procedures. The mean bundled price for MTPJ arthrodesis was $21 767 (range $8417 to $39 265). The mean bundled price for synthetic cartilage implantation was $21 546 (range $4903 to $74 145). There was no statistically significant difference between the bundled price for first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implantation. Conclusions. There was limited availability of consumer prices for first MTPJ arthrodesis and synthetic implantation, thus impeding health care consumers' decision making. There was a wide range of quotes for both procedures, indicating potential cost savings.Levels of Evidence: IV, basic science.

Incarcerated Plantar Dislocation of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: Reduction Using Intra-articular Saline Injection

Plantar dislocation of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is exceedingly rare, and in prior reported cases, simple closed manipulation easily enabled reduction. We present here the first reported plantar dislocation that failed closed manipulation. We also report a technique involving injection of saline into the joint to facilitate reduction. The saline insufflation likely relieves buttonholing of the metatarsal head through the dorsal joint capsule. For first MTP joint plantar dislocations that fail reduction with manipulation, we recommend attempting injection of the joint with saline prior to subjecting the patient to open reduction.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, Level IV: Case report.

Internal Fixation of Displaced Intra-articular Fractures of the Hallux Through a Dorsomedial Approach: A Technical Tip

Phalangeal fractures of the toes represent common injuries of the forefoot. In the hallux, most fractures occur at the distal phalanx and frequently result from a direct crushing type of injury. Intra-articular fractures of the hallux are usually treated nonoperatively, except when the fragments are displaced and the joint is incongruent. Displaced fractures treated nonoperatively can result in degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joint, causing pain and range of motion limitation, hindering gait and weightbearing. The aim of this study was to present an option of operative approach in the treatment of displaced interphalangeal joint fractures of the hallux, along the medial border of the extensor hallucis longus tendon. It is our understanding that this approach minimizes injury to the soft tissue envelope, allowing a rigid fixation and early weightbearing and range of motion.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level V: Expert opinion.

Do Postoperative Hallux Angles Correlate With Outcome in MP1 Fusion? Our Experience With 71 Cases

PURPOSE

To determine if the postoperative alignment of the hallux influences the final clinical outcome of hallux metatarsophalangeal joint (first MTPJ) arthrodesis.

METHODS

A total of 71 consecutive cases (hallux rigidus) were studied in stages 3 and 4. They were operated through arthrodesis between 2008 and 2014. The follow-up mean was 7.3 years. The AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) test was performed preintervention and per annum. In radiology, both the hallux valgus angle and the dorsiflexion angle of the first MTPJ were studied. Furthermore, clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the type of implant used.

RESULTS

Preoperative AOFAS score was 27.5, rising to 91.3 after the intervention ( P < .01). The improvement test average was 63.6. There were 17 local complications (23%), 7 of them were considered to be major complications (9%), 6 of which needed reoperation (8.5%). The dorsiflexion angle postoperative mean was 21.7°. The hallux valgus angle postoperative mean was 10.9°. No correlations between both angles, and improved AOFAS score or complications ( P > .4 and P > .5, respectively), were found. Patients who had a dorsiflexion angle higher than 20° had greater improvement in the AOFAS score compared with those who had angles lower than 20° (64.5 vs 59.6 points). Nevertheless, this result was not statistically significant ( P = .059). No differences in AOFAS score improvement regarding arthrodesis plate ( P > .1) were found.

CONCLUSION

First MTPJ arthrodesis is a good alternative for patients in advanced hallux rigidus stages when conservative treatment fails. We could not confirm if a better postoperative alignment may influence in clinical outcomes. However, better results are obtained with dorsiflexion angle greater than 20° than with those with less than 20°. Likewise, any differences between the 2 arthrodesis plates have been able to confirm.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level III: Retrospective cohort study.

Giant cell tumor of the distal phalanx of the great toe: a case report

Giant cell tumors are rarely seen in the foot. They can cause a significant amount of pain and deformity due to their aggressive and recurrent nature. We present the unusual case of a giant cell tumor of the distal phalanx of the hallux in a 39-year-old man.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV, Case Report.