A prospective clinical and biomechanical analysis of feet following first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis for end stage hallux rigidus.

BACKGROUND: Hallux Rigidus is the result of degeneration of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTPJ). In end-stage hallux rigidus, treatment is mainly surgical with arthrodesis being a favourable option. Although the biomechanical effects of arthrodesis have been examined, a detailed comparison of pre- and post-operative biomechanics has yet to be conducted. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does 1st MTPJ arthrodesis positively affect foot kinematics and plantar pressure distribution? METHODS: Twelve 1st MTPJ arthrodesis were performed in patients with a mean age of 53.5 ± 5.4 years and follow up time of 6.9 ± 1.0 months. Pre- and post-operative data were collected at a CMAS (Clinical Movement Analysis Society) accredited gait laboratory using a BTS motion capture system and pedobarographic pressure plates. Patient outcome measures were also assessed using the MOXFQ. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Significant changes in stride length, cycle duration, cadence and velocity were identified following 1st MTPJ arthrodesis. A significant reduction in forefoot-hallux dorsiflexion at toe-off was identified for the operated foot from the pre-operative (20.23 ± 5.98°) to post-operative (7.56 ± 2.96°) assessment. Post-operative sagittal and transverse plane changes in the operated foot were also identified. Peak pressure and PTI results indicated significant lateralisation of load for the operated foot, but importantly this was not influenced following arthrodesis. Finally, there was a significant improvement in MOXFQ score. SIGNIFICANCE: Following 1st MTPJ fusion there is an improvement in overall gait mechanics which accompanied by the improved MOXFQ score indicates a reduction in pain and improved confidence during gait. The lack of post-operative dorsiflexion at forefoot-hallux caused load to remain lateralised and compensatory mechanisms to occur at the more proximal joints within the foot. These results provide valuable information for clinicians and will enable more accurate counselling to be provided to patients with end-stage hallux rigidus.

An investigation to determine the normal 1st to 5th metatarsal peak pressure and PTI ratio of the forefoot.

BACKGROUND: The foot support has been described as that of a tripod. Biomechanical studies often report on peak pressures and pressure time integrals under specific areas of the foot. Reference needs to be made to the normal tripod distribution especially in the forefoot. In the forefoot the ratio between the 1st metatarsal and the 5th metatarsal on the medial and lateral columns of the foot respectively provide an excellent reference especially if the normal ratio is known. This study provides conclusive evidence of the 1st to 5th metatarsal ratio for peak pressures and pressure time integrals in the normal foot to be used as a reference. METHODS: A group of normal healthy volunteers (n = 12) and a group of patients with unilateral end stage hallux rigidus (n = 17) were recruited. Repeated measures of 1st and 5th metatarsal peak pressures and Pressure time integrals were measured to determine reliability of measurement and to provide a reference normal ratio. RESULTS: In the healthy volunteer group, the 1st/5th metatarsal ratio for PTI was very close to 1 while it was just over 1.5 for peak pressure. In patients with unilateral end stage hallux rigidus, in the normal foot the 1st/5th metatarsal ratio for PP and PTI was very close to 1. These ratios were reproduced in the operated foot following 1st MTPJ replacement. CONCLUSION: This study using normal healthy volunteers and patients undergoing 1st MTPJ replacement has demonstrated that the normal 1st/5th metatarsal peak pressure and pressure time integrals should be close to 1.

A prospective clinical and biomechanical analysis of feet following first metatarsophalangeal joint replacement.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research providing a biomechanical outcome following 1st MTPJ replacement for hallux rigidus. Despite this, 1st MTPJ replacement continues to be an alternative surgical option to fusion for this painful debilitating condition. Several studies do consider the patient reported outcomes which are subjective. RESEARCH QUESTION: The objective of this study is to provide an in depth biomechanical analysis to examine the effects of 1st MTPJ replacement for hallux rigidus on gait mechanics. METHODS: Kinematic data was collected at our CMAS (Clinical Movement Analysis Society) UK accredited gait laboratory during the gait cycle together with pressure plate pressure readings and a validated patient outcome measure before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. A complete literature review is performed. RESULTS: Kinematic data revealed a significant increase in stride length, cadence and velocity following 1st MTPJ replacement for hallux rigidus. Foot kinematic data revealed significantly reduced tibia-hindfoot abduction and pronation and reduced hindfoot-forefoot supination and adduction. There was no effect on 1st MTPJ weight bearing range of motion. Pressure plate data revealed an increase in peak pressure and pressure time integral towards the 1st metatarsal following surgery. There was a significant improvement in the patient reported outcome measure. SIGNIFICANCE: This study has demonstrated objectively that following 1st MTPJ replacement, biomechanically, a restoration of the foot posture to allow medialisation of foot pressures towards the medial column and normalisation of gait including an increase in the stride length, cadence and velocity and that clinically, there was an improvement in the MOXFQ.

A consecutive, prospective analysis of the Rotoglide 1st metatarsophalangeal joint replacement.

Following 1st metatarsophalangeal joint replacement, there is a normalisation of foot pressure distribution as demonstrated by peak pressures of the 1st and 5th metatarsal heads and their ratio as measured by pedobarographs. This compares favourably with the unaffected foot. Functional dorsiflexion range of motion is maintained and there is a significant improvement in the reported patient outcome measure.

Scarf osteotomy in the management of symptomatic adolescent hallux valgus.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the utility of the scarf osteotomy in the management of symptomatic adolescent hallux valgus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a case series of 29 patients (39 feet) with a mean follow up of 38.6 months (range 6-60 months). The mean age at the time of surgery was 14.1 years (range 10-17 years). American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were collected at final follow up, along with a rating of the overall satisfaction. Any complications were recorded. Pre- and post-surgical radiographic angles were measured and analysed using the Student's t-test. The angles measured were the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the inter-metatarsal angle (IMA) and the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA). A second surgeon independently reviewed the angles in order to assess the inter-rater reliability using the Pearson product moment correlation. RESULTS: The mean AOFAS score at final follow up was 94.2 (range 54-100). Of all patients, 93 % were either satisfied or very satisfied with their final outcome. One patient has been listed for revision surgery after symptomatic recurrence at 3 years follow up. The pre-operative HVA, IMA and DMAA were 34.8°, 15.9° and 16.0°, respectively. The post-operative values were 16.3°, 8.8° and 9.2°, respectively (p < 0.001 for each). Pearson's r coefficient values demonstrated good inter-rater reliability of measurement. CONCLUSION: We have presented the results of the largest case series of scarf osteotomies for adolescent hallux valgus reported in the literature up to now, as far as we are aware. AOFAS scores at final follow up are comparable to the smaller studies previously reported and provide evidence that good outcomes and high levels of patient satisfaction can be achieved. Early follow up demonstrates a low level of symptomatic recurrence, but longer term data are still required.

Can orthopaedic clinicians learn to read skeletal bone age? An inter- and intra observer study between specialties.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of skeletal age is essential for predicting eventual leg length discrepancies and predicting the accurate timing for surgical intervention in order to correct any discrepancy. To our knowledge, there has not been an interdisciplinary comparison of the degree of agreement in determining skeletal bone age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 30 left hand/wrist radiographs (children aged 16 months to 10 years 6 months) on two separate occasions between musculoskeletal paediatric radiologists, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and a senior radiographer after appropriate training. RESULTS: All clinicians were able to reliably age patients with good intra- and interobserver agreement. CONCLUSION: We suggest that following tuition, orthopaedic surgeons are able to reliably age patients from X-rays.

Elastic intramedullary nailing in unstable fractures of the paediatric tibial diaphysis: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The majority of paediatric tibial fractures can be managed conservatively. However, there is a small but significant group of patients that require surgical intervention for several indications, most notably, unstable fractures. There are various surgical options, each with its own advantages and risks. This review establishes the current available evidence for the use of elastic intramedullary nails in this group. METHODS: A systematic review of the currently available literature was performed. The relevant studies were then critically appraised. RESULTS: Seven applicable retrospective case series were identified, with the outcomes from a total of 210 (range 16-60) patients considered. The mean time to union ranged from 7 to 21 weeks. Reported complications included small numbers each of delayed union, non-union, malunion, leg length discrepancy and infection. CONCLUSIONS: There is only a small body of evidence currently published on this topic. The evidence published so far concludes that elastic intramedullary nailing represents an effective and reliable method to treat an unstable fracture of the tibial diaphysis in the paediatric patient, where conservative management is not appropriate.

Which questionnaire is best? The reliability, validity and ease of use of the Patient Evaluation Measure, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the Michigan Hand Outcome Measure.

The Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM), The Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were assessed independent of their originators for reliability, construct and criterion validity and acceptability, using an ease of use questionnaire. These were administered in random order to 100 patients with different hand and wrist disorders and with different impairments of movement, pain, sensation and strength. The internal consistency of all three questionnaires was very high suggesting redundancy in the questions. All questionnaires were reproducible and valid for finger and wrist disorders, but less for nerve disorders. All had poor construct validity. The PEM was the easiest to understand and complete, taking the least time. Correlation between the scales is high and conversion equations were calculated. All three are reliable and reproducible patient completed questionnaires, but the PEM is the easiest to use. The validity of all is suspected for nerve disorders.