Successful treatment of advanced Freiberg's disease with a modified Weil osteotomy, 5-year follow up: A Pilot case series with a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment for Freiberg's disease is largely conservative. For severe disease and refractory cases, there are various surgical options. The purpose of this study was to report the 5-year clinical outcomes of a modified Weil osteotomy in the treatment of advanced Freiberg's disease. METHODS: Twelve patients (12 feet), with a mean age of 30.7 years (range 17-55), were treated with synovectomy and modified Weil osteotomy of the affected distal metatarsal head. There were 10 females and 2 males. Clinical outcomes were independently evaluated pre and postoperatively using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system and a subjective satisfaction score. Radiological union was evaluated postoperatively. Nine (75%) feet involved the 2nd metatarsal and 3 feet (25%) involved the 3rd metatarsal. According to the Smillie classification, 6 feet were Grade IV and 6 feet were grade V. RESULTS: No patients were lost to follow up and the mean follow-up time was 5.2 years (4-7). AOFAS scores improved from 48.1 + /- 7.4-88.9 + /- 10.1 postoperatively giving a mean improvement of 40.8 (p < 0.001). In total, 92% of patients were satisfied with their operation at latest follow-up, reporting excellent or good results. All patients had postoperative radiological union. One patient had a superficial postoperative infection that was successfully treated with oral antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Modified Weil osteotomy is an effective treatment for advanced Freiberg's disease with good outcomes and few complications.

Missed Monteggia injuries.

The classical Monteggia injury comprises a dislocation of the radial head with an associated fracture of the ulna. In the variant type, there is no ulnar fracture merely plastic deformation. We performed a retrospective study of all Monteggia injuries from 1992 to 2001. A total of 39 were reviewed, of which 8 were missed (1 classical and 7 variant). Of those, five were male and three female with a mean age of 6.3 years. The mean follow-up was 2.5 years, with a mean interval between injury and diagnosis of 33.5 weeks. Two Monteggia injuries diagnosed within 4 weeks were successfully treated by closed manipulation. The other six required ulnar osteotomy, repair of the annular ligament and stabilisation of the radial head with a transcapitellar pin. A protocol for the diagnosis of Monteggia injuries is described. Doubtful cases require an immediate review since early treatment improves the outcome. Acceptable clinical and radiological results in late diagnosed Monteggia injuries can result from ulnar osteotomy, open reduction of the radial head with repair of the annular ligament and transcapitellar pin stabilisation of the reduced radial head.