Arthrodesis of the first metatarsocuneiform joint: a comparative cadaveric study of external and internal fixation

Comparison of 4 Different Fixation Strategies for Midfoot Arthrodesis: A Retrospective Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Midfoot arthrodesis is a common procedure performed both for arthritis and correction of deformity. The optimal fixation for midfoot arthrodesis has not been established, though numerous studies have been investigating the fixation techniques of midfoot arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the union rate of midfoot arthrodesis using 4 different fixation strategies and investigate risk factors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent midfoot joint arthrodesis between January 2014 and May 2019. The rates of nonunion and postoperative complication were compared among 4 different fixation constructs: staple fixation, compression plate fixation, compression plate with lag screw fixation, and compression screw fixation. Predictors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis were investigated through a multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 95 patients (99 feet), including 240 midfoot joints were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 78.4 weeks.

RESULTS

Overall, bony union was achieved in 86 out of 99 (86.9%) patients, which included 218 out of 240 (90.8%) midfoot joints. A significant difference in the nonunion rate according to the type of fixation construct was found (P = .011); the compression screw alone fixation construct was noted to have a significantly higher nonunion rate than other fixation constructs. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 0.179 [95% CI: 0.059, 0.542]), the type of fixation construct (compression screw alone; OR =1.789 [95% CI: 1.071, 2.978]), lack of adjuvant bone graft (OR = 2.803 [95% CI: 1.081, 7.268], and postoperative nonanatomical alignment (OR = 3.937 [95% CI: 1.278, 12.126]) were identified as independent predictors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis.

CONCLUSION

The rate of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis among 4 different commonly used fixation constructs was compared in this study. Risk factors of nonunion were investigated revealing that diabetes mellitus, compression screw fixation alone, lack of adjuvant bone graft, and postoperative nonanatomical alignment are independent predictors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level III: Comparative cohort study.

Midfoot Joint Arthrodesis Using Compression Plate With Lag Screw Augmenting With Highly Porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate

BACKGROUND

There is still a controversy regarding the most optimal fixation instruments and bone graft materials for midfoot joint arthrodesis. We present the results of midfoot joint arthrodesis using compression plate with lag screw augmenting with highly porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing midfoot joint arthrodesis using compression plate with lag screw augmenting with highly porous β-TCP and BMAC from January 2014 to May 2019. The radiographic bony union rate was investigated. Postoperative complications and reoperations were also reviewed. A total of 36 patients (37 feet) including 75 joints were available in this study.

RESULTS

A high union rate was achieved as of 97.3% in 73 of 75 joints. Nonunion occurred in 2 patients including 2 joints. Other than nonunion, there were no major complications such as deep infection. Minor complications (5 of 75 joints, 6.7%) included hardware irritations. Reoperations were required in 1 patient for revision of arthrodesis and symptomatic hardware removal was performed in all 5 hardware irritation cases.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, the fixation construct of compression plate with lag screw augmenting with highly porous β-TCP and BMAC is safe and effective for midfoot joint arthrodesis with an excellent union rate and a low complication rate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective case series.

Effect of Fixation Type and Bone Graft on Tarsometatarsal Fusion

BACKGROUND:

End-stage tarsometatarsal (TMT) arthritis is commonly treated with arthrodesis of involved joints. Fixation hardware can consist of varying combinations of screws, plates, and staples with or without supplemental bone graft. There are limited data to demonstrate either superiority of a given fixation method or the impact of bone graft on fusion rates. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine whether nonunion rates after TMT arthrodesis were influenced by either the use of screw vs plate fixation or the addition of bone graft vs no bone graft.

METHODS:

All patients older than 18 years undergoing arthrodesis for TMT arthritis between July 1991 and July 2016 were identified retrospectively. Exclusion criteria included less than 12 months follow-up, prior midfoot surgery, any added procedure beyond TMT arthrodesis using plates or screws, and acute foot trauma. All patients with radiographic or clinical nonunion, including those requiring revision surgery, were identified. Demographic data and associated risk factors were recorded via chart and radiographic image review. Eighty-eight patients (88 feet, mean follow-up: 75.1 ± 51.4; range, 12-179), with a total of 189 joints and who met enrollment criteria were treated by 9 different surgeons with arthrodesis.

RESULTS:

The overall nonunion rate was 11.4%. Significant independent risk factors associated with nonunion were (1) arthrodesis using plate fixation with all screws through the plate (odds ratio [OR], 6.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-21.3; P = .004), (2) smoking during the perioperative period (OR, 7.9; 95% CI, 2.1-30.2; P = .002), and (3) postoperative nonanatomic alignment (OR, 11.2; 95% CI, 2.1-60.8; P = .005). Bone graft utilization was found to significantly lower the rate of nonunion (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.6; P = .006).

CONCLUSION:

Isolated plate fixation, smoking, and postoperative nonanatomic alignment appear to significantly increase the rate of nonunion among patients undergoing TMT arthrodesis for midfoot arthritis. Concomitant use of autogenous bone graft significantly decreased this risk.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Endosseous Fixation Device for Lapidus Arthrodesis: Technique, Early Experience, and Comparison With Crossed Screw Fixation

First metatarsal cuneiform joint arthrodesis has been commonly used since the early 1900s for definitive treatment of a variety of conditions involving the medial column of the foot. Early applications of this procedure resulted in a relatively high rate of complications, including malunion and nonunion. We retrospectively examined a novel method of fixation involving an endosseous implant with a nonporous, rough exterior surface and compared it with the traditional crossed screw fixation, considered the standard of care for the procedure. Twenty-one feet in 19 patients served as the control group with crossed screws, and 18 feet in 17 patients served as the trial group using the study device. Null hypothesis testing was used to compare the outcomes parameters between the comparative groups. Postoperatively, the patients were allowed to walk in a prefabricated, removable, below-the-knee cast boot at a mean of 48.3 ± 8.2 days in the control group and 24.4 ± 9.7 days in the trial group. These differences were highly significant (p < .0001). Postoperatively, the patients were allowed to walk in a stiff-soled shoe at a mean of 65.2 ± 8.4 days in the control group and 49.7 ± 19.2 days in the trial group. These differences were also statistically significant (p = .0020). The patients in the control group required revision surgery in 7 of 21 procedures (33%), with 2 patients developing nonunion (9.5%). Only 1 patient in the trial group required revision surgery (5.8%), and no patient developed nonunion. From these results, we believe that the endosseous trial implant is a reliable option for fixation of the first metatarsal cuneiform arthrodesis procedure and might allow for earlier weightbearing with fewer postoperative complications.

Enhanced Lapidus arthrodesis: crossed screw technique with middle cuneiform fixation further reduces sagittal mobility

Persistent medial column sagittal mobility can be encountered despite successful first tarsometatarsal stabilization if fixation has been limited to the first tarsometatarsal joint. The purpose of the present cadaveric research was to quantify the effect of a third point of fixation from the base of the first metatarsal to the middle cuneiform compared with the traditional isolated first tarsometatarsal fixation. Ten matched pairs of below-the-knee specimens, with a known cause of death, sex, ethnicity, and age, height, weight, and body mass index at death, were used for our examination. Portable fluoroscopy aided with the accurate placement of all points of fixation. Measurements of movement were obtained using the validated Klaue device. The 20 matched below-the-knee specimens were from 10 cadavers (2 female and 8 male donors, aged 72.8 ± 9.3 years, body mass index 21.1 ± 4.2 kg/m(2)). The sagittal plane motion of the first ray was 7.45 ± 1.82 mm before fixation. With isolated first tarsometatarsal fixation, the sagittal motion decreased to 4.41 ± 1.51 mm and decreased further to 3.12 ± 1.06 mm, with the addition of middle cuneiform fixation. Statistically significant enhancement of the stability of sagittal first ray motion was noted with the addition of the first metatarsal to middle cuneiform pin, even after simulated Lapidus fixation. Our findings suggest that first metatarsal to middle cuneiform fixation can be beneficial if excessive sagittal motion is present after standard 2-point fixation and can play a role in the prevention of recurrence and complications.

Immediate weightbearing after Lapidus arthrodesis with external fixation

A common surgical treatment of severe hallux abductovalgus deformity with coincident first ray hypermobility is metatarsal-cuneiform fusion or Lapidus procedure. The aim of the present study was to illustrate a reliable and novel method of fixation for Lapidus fusion using an external fixation device through a retrospective cohort investigation of consecutive patients. Twenty Lapidus fusions were performed in 19 patients, including 17 females (89.47%) and 2 males (10.53%). The mean age at surgery was 41 (range 20 to 64) years. The patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically pre- and postoperatively. The mean duration in the fixator was 12 (range 3 to 34) weeks. The mean interval to radiographic union was 9.2 (range 4.7 to 30.7) weeks in 18 of 20 feet (90%) and 2 (10%) were designated as nonunion. The mean follow-up period was 37 (range 5.6 to 211.1) weeks. The most common complication was pin tract infection in 5 patients (6 feet) and was treated with oral antibiotics; only 1 foot required early hardware removal. According to the visual analog scale, the mean patient pain score decreased significantly from 8.2 ± 2.7 to 0.83 ± 0.98 postoperatively (p < .001). Our results highlight that immediate weightbearing after Lapidus fusion with external fixation is a viable treatment option for the correction of severe hallux abductovalgus with associated hypermobility.

Fixation of first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis: a retrospective comparative cohort of two techniques

BACKGROUND

Presently, indications for the Lapidus procedure include patients with many pathologies of the first metatarsocuneiform joint. Currently the standard in many areas is that of two or three crossed screws through the first tarsometatarsal region. This type of fixation requires an extended period of nonweightbearing and may be difficult for patient compliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study is a retrospective comparison of crossed screw fixation to locking plate fixation without a lag screw on union rates, time to weightbearing, and complications.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-three first TMT fusions met the inclusion criteria. There were 96 fused by crossed screw construct (CS) and 47 by the locked plate with or without compression screw (LP). There was a significant difference in time to full weightbearing and union rate. Time to full weightbearing was 8.8 (range, 3 to 16) weeks and 7.8 (range, 1.5 to 34) weeks in the CS and LP groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Union rate was 89.4% (88 of 96 joints) and 98.5% (46 of 47 joints) in the CS and LP groups, respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that when using a dorsal-medial locked plate with or without lag screw lead to a superior rate of union compared to standard crossed screw constructs even while allowing earlier return to full weightbearing.