FOOT &ANKLE INTERNATIONAL Copyright 2009 by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society DOI: 10.3113/FAI.2009.0865 Proximal First Metatarsal Opening Wedge Osteotomy with a Low Profile Plate Paul S. Shurnas, MD; Troy S. Watson, MD; Timothy W. Crislip, DPM Colombia, MO ABSTRACT Length of the first metatarsal was maintained and patients ambulated safely in a CAM walking boot immediately after Background: Many surgical procedures have been described surgery. We believe a first web space release may result in hallux for the correction of metatarsus primus varus associated with varus and increased distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) hallux valgus deformity. The purpose of this study was to was associated with hallux valgus recurrence. present the results of the proximal metatarsal opening wedge (PMOW) osteotomy using the Arthrex LPS first metatarsal Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series system. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four patients (90 feet) underwent PMOW osteotomy with distal bunionectomy. There Key Words: Proximal Opening Wedge Osteotomy; Hallux were 78 patients (93%) and 84 (93%) feet available for followup. Valgus Mean followup was 2.4 (range, 2.0 to 3.2) years from the time of the index surgery. Pre- and postoperative clinical examination, INTRODUCTION level of activity, patient derived subjective satisfaction score, radiographic measurements, and visual analogue scale (VAS) There are multiple procedures and fixation techniques score for pain were obtained and evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean preoperative VAS score was 5.9 (± 2.2), utilized to perform proximal osteotomy of the first metatarsal compared with a mean postoperative score of 0.5 (± 0.8). for correction of hallux valgus. Historically, the PMOW The mean 1-2 IMA preoperatively was 14.5 (±3.3) degrees, osteotomy was largely abandoned because of the technically compared with postoperative measurements of 4.6 (± 2.8) demanding nature of the surgery utilizing a bone graft wedge, degrees. The mean hallux valgus angle (HVA) improved from and concerns about nonunion and instability.3,9 Regardless of a mean of 30 (range, 22 to 64) degrees preoperatively to 10 these concerns, the need still exists for a proximal, stable (range, −15 to +18) degrees. The mean time to radiographic osteotomy that maintains the relative length of the first union was 5.9 (range, 4 to 14) weeks. There was one nonunion, metatarsal in relation to the second. This is especially true one delayed union, mild hallux varus in two patients, severe for any deformity with a short first metatarsal and although hallux varus in two patients, recurrent hallux valgus in three a distal procedure alone may be considered for hallux valgus patients (including the nonunion) and no instances of plate associated with mild intermetatarsal deformity; even distal failure there was no significant difference in mean preoperative (74.8 degrees ± 11) compared to postoperative (67.9 degrees ± osteotomies such as a chevron may result in some degree of 10) total MTP joint range of motion. Ninety percent of patients length loss. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively reported good to excellent subjective results after the index evaluate the outcomes of hallux valgus correction utilizing surgery. Conclusion: We believe PMOW osteotomy was near the Arthrex Opening Wedge Low Profile Plate and Screw ideal in terms of reliable, predictable correction and healing. System (LPS). One or more of the authors has received or will receive benefits for personal or professional use from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject MATERIALS AND METHODS of this article. In addition, benefits have been or will be directed to a research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other nonprofit organization with which one or A consecutive series of patients treated by the authors from more of the authors is associated. Dr. Shurnas is a paid consultant for Arthrex. November 2004 to November of 2007 were retrospectively Corresponding Author: evaluated. A total of 90 procedures (90 feet) on 84 patients Paul S. Shurnas, MD Creighton University were performed that had a minimum of 2 years since Orthopaedics their index surgery; 78 patients (93%) and 84 feet (93%) 1 S. Keene St were available for followup. Four patients had moved to Columbia, MO 65201 E-mail: [email protected] another state for job reasons (all subjectively satisfied but For information on pricings and availability of reprints, call 410-494-4994, x232. no followup data obtained) and two patients could not be 865 Downloaded from fai.sagepub.com at SETON HALL UNIV on March 27, 2015 866 SHURNAS ET AL. Foot & Ankle International/Vol. 30, No. 9/September 2009 contacted. The minimum followup was 2 years from the time SURGICAL TECHNIQUE of the index surgery and the mean followup for the study group was 2.4 (range, 2.0 to 3.2) years. The surgical technique consisted of a 3-cm dorsal-medial PMOW combined with a distal bunionectomy procedure incision over the base of the first metatarsal, a 3-cm one was considered for moderate to severe hallux valgus, hallux over the medial eminence, and possibly one over the first web space (Figure 1). As the technique was refined the valgus associated with a short first ray, a 1–2 IMA of first web space incision was noted to result in varus over- more than 12 degrees, recurrent hallux valgus after a distal correction and furthermore, was not required to obtain the procedure alone or as an adjunct to a distal procedure desired correction. The primary modification in the current if subtotal correction was achieved. Biomechanically, the series was to avoid the first web space release and instead Arthrex LPS low profile opening wedge system has been pie-crust the capsule through the joint and release the dorsal shown to be as stable as the proximal chevron osteotomy11 adductor along the lateral sesamoid through the plantar aspect and initial clinical reports with the technique have been of the joint. The web space incision was therefore omitted promising.1,11,12,13 Total MTP joint range of motion (dorsi- in 80/84 feet that were evaluated. flexion plus plantarflexion) was measured with a hand held An oblique osteotomy was made in the proximal medial goniometer by the treating surgeon preoperatively and post- metatarsal base beginning the cut about 1.5 cm distal to operatively at the latest followup. Other pre and postoper- the first metatarsocuneiform (MTC) joint (Figures 1 and ative data collected included the severity of hallux valgus 2). The cut was then angled so that the lateral apex was (Table 1)4, visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain, and radio- positioned approximately 5 mm distal to the first MTC. graphic measures4: 1–2 IMA, hallux valgus angle (HVA), Positioning the apex of the osteotomy in this fashion allowed for the dense soft tissue attachments to cover the apex, first metatarsal declination angle, and millimeters of first providing extra stability should the lateral hinge crack. The ray elevation.10 Radiographs were evaluated by an inde- lateral hinge of bone and soft tissue was not disturbed in pendent observer (JR) based on a previously reported stan- 74 feet (88% of feet). Osteotomes from the set were used 4 dardized measurement technique. Lateral cortex disruption to open the osteotomy site and a mini-lamina spreader was while performing the osteotomy during index surgery and inserted to hold the desired correction of the 1–2 IMA any subsequent effect on outcome was evaluated. Time to under fluoroscopic visualization. The appropriate opening union and/or non-union based on cross-bridging bone on two wedge plate was selected based on fluoroscopy that showed orthogonal views was recorded. First metatarsal protrusion correction of the first metatarsal to be parallel with the length was measured based on the method of Hardy and second. The actual opening was measured with a trial wedge Clapham6,7 which is a method not affected by metatarsus or plate (Figure 3) and the plate was first secured by screw adductus. Valgus drift was defined as more than 3 degrees fixation in the most proximal of the distal screw holes. (error of measurement) of radiographic increase in the post- The two distal screws were always placed perpendicular to operative hallux valgus angle but less than or equal to 5 the long axis of the first metatarsal. The proximal plantar degrees. More than 5 degrees of valgus increase noted on screw was placed across the osteotomy in an oblique fashion (65/84 feet), and the second dorsal proximal screw was the postoperative radiograph was considered a recurrence. placed perpendicular to the plate. Both proximal screws The charts were reviewed by two independent observers can be placed across the apex of the osteotomy if desired (TC and JR). All patients were evaluated and the followup (19/84 feet). The final distal screw was then placed. A similar examination also included assessment of subjective patient surgical technique has been previously reported12,13. 5 satisfaction based on a previously reported scale, patient The medial capsule was opened with an inverted-L inci- derived subjective activity level and work status. Subjective sion and closed at the conclusion of the case with non- satisfaction was recorded as excellent, good, fair or poor. absorbable suture. The medial eminence was excised and Analysis of variance was used to identify any significant utilized for autologous bone graft in the proximal osteotomy. differences (p < 0.05) between pre- and postoperative data. A modified McBride (49 feet) (Figure 4) or biplanar chevron Table 1: Hallux Valgus Deformity Classified Based on Preoperative Radiographic Findings Severity Hallux valgus angle 1–2 Intermetatarsal angle Dislocation of sesamoids ◦ ◦ Normal Less than 15 Less than 9 — ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Mild (8 feet) 15 to 19 9 to 11 Less than 50% ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Moderate (25 feet) 20 to 40 12 to 15 50% to 75% ◦ ◦ Severe (51 feet) 40 or more 16 or more 75% or more Downloaded from fai.sagepub.com at SETON HALL UNIV on March 27, 2015 Foot & Ankle International/Vol.