A new surgical procedure for brachymetatarsia by a hydroxyapatite graft

The Surgical Treatment of Brachymetatarsia

This article describes the 3 main surgical options for correction of congenital brachymetatarsia in childhood. The one-stage lengthening by lengthening osteotomy and lengthening with graft interposition are suitable for defects less than 10 mm. For the greater defects from 10 mm to more than 20 mm, gradual lengthening by callus distraction with an external or internal fixator is appropriate. Over the last years, callus distraction with an internal minifixator became commonly established because of the significantly improved aftercare with early full weight-bearing and high postoperative comfort for the child. All 3 surgical procedures are presented with comprehensive image material.

Tratamento da braquimetatarsia por distração osteogênica com fixador externo monolateral

Objective  To describe the profile of the patients and the results obtained with the use of an external fixator for metatarsal lengthening in brachymetatarsia.

Methods  A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with brachymetatarsia treated between January 2018 and April 2020 was performed. During this period, eight feet of six patients were operated on. Frequencies were estimated according to demographic and surgical aspects.

Results  All patients (100%; n  = 6) were female, with a mean age of 28 years old, ranging from 15 to 48 years old, and were motivated to seek the orthopedic service due to aesthetic deformity. The deformity was bilateral in two patients and unilateral in four patients. The average lengthening time was 22 days ( ± 7.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.04–26.81). The lengthening speed was 0.5 mm/day, and the average total length of the lengthening was 11.46 mm ( ± 3.57; 95%CI: 9.52–13.40). Half of the patients (50%; n  = 3) had local infection of the pins and were treated with antibiotics, and the others did not report any postsurgical complications. All patients denied pain or calluses after the surgical procedure and reported satisfaction with the results.

Conclusion  All patients were female and sought surgery for brachymetatarsia for aesthetic reasons. Osteogenic distraction at a rate of 0.5 mm/day resulted in successful lengthening of the metatarsal, with a low frequency of complications, good clinical outcomes, and high patient satisfaction.

Results of External Fixation and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fixation With K-Wire in Brachymetatarsia

BACKGROUND

Brachymetatarsia is a rare foot deformity caused by the premature closure of the metatarsal physis. It may result in functional as well as cosmetic alterations, which may require operative management.

METHODS

A prospective study examining outcomes of 48 cases of brachymetatarsia with gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and metatarsophalangeal joint fixation was performed. The difference between the length before treatment and after external fixator removal was measured. The patients were assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively; at the end of the period of distraction; and 1 year after surgery. The total number of patients was 26, and surgery was performed in 48 metatarsals. The mean age was 17.0 ± 4.1 (range, 11-24) years, and all were female.

RESULTS

The fourth metatarsal was the most frequently affected, representing 98% of the cases; the third metatarsal represented the other 2%. The average length gained was 18.6 ± 6.7 mm, and the average length gained as a proportion of the original metatarsal length was 38.2% ± 3.1% (range, 13%-24%). The mean healing time was 71.0 (range, 64-104) days, and the mean healing index (healing time divided by centimeters of length gained [d/cm]) was 38.4 (range, 38.2-50.1) d/cm.

CONCLUSION

Gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and intramedullary nailing was a safe and efficient method, representing a minimally invasive procedure with a low incidence of complications and satisfactory results for the patient.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Mini-Invasive Treatment for Brachymetatarsia of the Fourth Ray in Females: Percutaneous Osteotomy With Mini-Burr and External Fixation-A Case Series

Brachymetatarsia is a rare disease defined by metatarsal shortening and characterized by aesthetic dissatisfaction with or without pain. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of fourth ray brachymetatarsia treated with percutaneous osteotomy using a mini-burr and gradual lengthening with external fixation. A total of 7 females were recruited for the study; 6 (85.71%) of whom had a bilateral deformity, for a total of 13 feet affected by fourth ray brachymetatarsia. Percutaneous diaphysis osteotomy with a mini-burr followed by metatarsal elongation was performed. Metatarsal lengthening was measured as the difference between the preoperative and postoperative length at external fixator removal. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society lesser toe metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score, patient satisfaction, restoration of Leliévre parabola, and treatment time were evaluated. Numerical data are reported as the mean ± standard deviation and 95% confidence intervals. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the changes in the AOFAS score with a level of significance of p < .05. The mean metatarsal lengthening was 17.46 ± 4.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.8 to 20.12) mm and the mean treatment time was 99.23 ± 8.53 (95% CI 94.59 to 103.87) days. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society lesser toe metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score improved significantly from 76.38 ± 2.66 (95% CI 74.77 to 78.03) preoperatively to 86.46 ± 1.45 (95% CI 84.85 to 88.07) postoperatively (p < .01). In 12 of 13 feet (92.31%), the Leliévre parabola was restored, and the patients were satisfied with the clinical outcomes. The results of our study demonstrate that percutaneous osteotomy with the mini-burr and external fixation is an effective treatment for lengthening of fourth ray brachymetatarsia. Furthermore, we found good clinical and functional outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and a similar duration of treatment compared with other gradual lengthening procedures.

Distraction osteogenesis of fourth brachymetatarsia

BACKGROUND

Brachymetatarsia is a rare congenital or developmental condition that results in a short metatarsal. The condition most commonly affects the fourth metatarsal of young and adolescent females. It does not usually produce a functional problem. However, it may produce a significant cosmetic problem especially in young women. The authors present their experience in gradual distraction of the fourth metatarsal to tackle this problem in adults.

METHODS

That was done using a monolateral frame in 11 feet of female patients with an average age of 23 years. Evaluation depended upon the achievement of the target length, angulation, pain, and satisfaction of the patient.

RESULTS

There were eight excellent and three good results after an average follow up of 2.6 years. Aside from nine cases of mild pin-tract infection, complications were few and minor.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend distraction osteogenesis as the treatment of choice for brachymetatarsia of the fourth toe.