Gait and dynamic pedobarographic analyses in hallux rigidus patients treated with Keller's arthroplasty, arthrodesis or cheilectomy 22 years after surgery.

Background: Keller's arthroplasty, arthrodesis and cheilectomy are well-known surgical interventions for hallux rigidus. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these surgical interventions on gait, plantar pressure distribution and clinical outcome in patients treated for hallux rigidus 22 years after surgery. Methods: Spatio-temporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution, determined as pressure time integrals (PTIs) and peak pressures (PPs), were analyzed using a 7-foot tone analysis model. Patient-reported outcome was assessed using the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ). Of the 73 patients (89 feet) from the original study, 27 patients (33 feet) and 13 healthy controls (26 feet) were available for evaluation 22 years after hallux rigidus surgery. Results: Spatio-temporal gait parameters were comparable between all groups and were in line with healthy controls (P > 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) in PTIs and PPs were found in the seven plantar zones between groups and as compared to healthy controls. MOXFQ scores in all domains (walking/standing, range 21.4-24.1; pain, range 16.5-22.2 and social interaction, range 23.8-35.4) were not clinically and statistically different (P > 0.05) between the three different surgical interventions. Conclusion: These results suggest no long-term functional and biomechanical differences after these surgical interventions for hallux rigidus correction. The interventions seem to be appropriate treatment options for a selective group of patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus.

Long-term Effects of Cheilectomy, Keller's Arthroplasty, and Arthrodesis for Symptomatic Hallux Rigidus on Patient-Reported and Radiologic Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Several operative interventions are available to alleviate pain in hallux rigidus, and the optimal operative technique is still a topic of debate among surgeons. Three of these are arthrodesis, cheilectomy, and Keller's arthroplasty. Currently, it is unclear which intervention yields the best long-term result. The aim of this study was to assess which of these interventions performed best in terms of patient-reported outcome, pain scores, and disease recurrence at long-term follow-up. METHODS: These data are the follow-up to the initial study published in 2006. In the original study, 73 patients (n = 89 toes) with symptomatic hallux rigidus were recruited and underwent first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis (n = 33 toes), cheilectomy (n = 28 toes), or Keller's arthroplasty (n = 28 toes). Outcome measures were AOFAS hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (HMI) score, and pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) at a mean follow-up period of 7 years. Patients of the original study were identified and invited to participate in the current study. Data were collected in the form of AOFAS-HMI score, VAS pain score, Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12). In addition, a clinical examination was performed and radiographs were obtained. Data were available for 37 patients (45 toes), with a mean follow-up period over 22 years. RESULTS: AOFAS-HMI and VAS pain score improved during follow-up only in arthrodesis patients. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences in clinical and patient-reported outcome were detected between groups based on AOFAS-HMI, VAS pain, MOXFQ, or FJS-12. However, clinically important differences in patient-reported outcomes and pain scores were detected, favoring arthrodesis. Radiographic disease progression was more evident after cheilectomy compared with Keller's arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: Arthrodesis, cheilectomy, and Keller's arthroplasty are 3 sucessful operative interventions to treat symptomatic hallux rigidus. Because clinically important differences were detected and symptoms still diminish many years after surgery, a slight preference was evident for arthrodesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative study.

A retrospective analysis of surgical treatment in patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus: long-term follow-up.

The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the long-term clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction of operative care in patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus. Seventy-seven patients (94 feet) underwent cheilectomy, Keller resection arthroplasty, or arthrodesis between 1990 and 2000. All were invited to return for follow-up evaluation after a minimum of 2 years (mean, 7 years). The average patient age was 53 years (range, 22-77 years). Outcomes were assessed by questioning and examining the patients and by evaluating radiographs according to the Regnauld's classification system. Overall patient satisfaction was good; average visual analogue and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal scores were 1.8 and 81, respectively. Eighty-seven percent stated they would undergo the same procedure again. After cheilectomy, the average visual analogue score was 1.4 for grade I and 2.3 for grade II, and rating scale scores were 87 and 82, respectively. There were comparable results for the Keller resection arthroplasty where visual analogue scores were 0.4 and 1.6, respectively, while AOFAS scores were 94 and 83, respectively. Average visual analogue scores and AOFAS scores in grade III patients after a Keller procedure and an arthrodesis were 2.3; 87 and 2.0; and 73, respectively. In the arthrodesis group, 4 patients required revision because of complications. Cheilectomy is a good choice for patients with grade I and II hallux rigidus because it is a safe and simple joint-preserving procedure. For end-stage hallux rigidus without preexistent metatarsalgia, the Keller procedure was favored over arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.