Quality of Early Union After First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

Wanivenhaus, Florian; Espinosa, Norman; Tscholl, Philippe M; Krause, Fabian; Wirth, Stephan H

The aim of the present retrospective cohort study was to assess the quality of union and the clinical outcomes in patients who had undergone first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) fusion using a dorsal plate and plantar lag screw. From March 2011 to December 2012, the clinical and radiographic data of 39 patients (41 feet) who had undergone first MTPJ fusion using a compressive locking plate were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had undergone postoperative computed tomography at 6 weeks postoperatively to assess union. The average metatarsophalangeal angles improved from 23° ± 16° preoperatively to 14° ± 5° postoperatively. The dorsiflexion of the hallux at the preoperative assessment averaged 17° ± 11° and 23° ± 5° postoperatively. At 6 weeks postoperatively, the computed tomography scans demonstrated 3 complete fusions (7.3 %) and 38 partial unions (92.7%). Also at 6 weeks, the mean ± standard deviation joint bridging was 54% ± 14.6%. The forefoot American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scale score had improved significantly from 50 ± 13 preoperatively to 80 ± 7 at >1 year of follow-up (p = .001). Hardware removal was performed in 8 cases because of pain in 7 and infection in 1. Revision arthrodesis was required in 2 cases because of nonunion. At 6 weeks postoperatively, partial bony joint bridging could be observed in most cases after arthrodesis of the first MTPJ with the dorsal fusion plate.