Chronic isolated fracture of a metatarsal head in lesser toes treated with open reduction and internal fixation / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To report our clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of chronic isolated fractures of a metatarsal head in the lesser toes.Methods:A retrospective consecutive case-series study was performed in 5 patients with symptomatic chronic isolated shear fracture of a metatarsal head in the lesser toes who had been treated from January 2018 to April 2021 at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. There were 4 males and one female, with an average age of 26.2 years (from 19 to 36 years) at the time of injury. The fracture had been missed at the initial diagnosis in 2 of the patients. Their main symptom was limited dorsiflexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). Preoperative X-rays and CT scans revealed dorsal displacement of the distal fragment without dislocation of the MTPJ. All patients were treated by ORIF. Their American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society-lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (AOFAS-LMI) score, visual analog scale (VAS), and range of passive dorsiflexion of the MTPJ were compared between preoperation and the final follow-up. Postoperative complications were also recorded.Results:The 5 patients were followed up for an average of 27.8 months (from 6 to 45 months). All the chronic fractures achieved bony union. At the final follow-up, the average AOFAS-LMI score was 90.6 (from 82 to 100), the average VAS score 0 (from 0 to 2), and the average range of passive dorsiflexion of the MTPJ 40.0° (from 35° to 45°), all improved compared with the preoperative values [70.6 (from 59 to 79), 4 (from 2 to 5) and 10.0° (from 5.0° to 10.0°), respectively]. All the patients recovered their activity levels before injury. Three patients developed arthritis of the MTPJ.Conclusion:ORIF may achieve good short- and mid-term clinical outcomes in patients with chronic isolated shear fracture of a metatarsal head in the lesser toes.