A retrospective study of two Lapidus groups, each with a different method of rail application

Identifying Risk Factors for Nonunion of the Modified Lapidus Procedure for the Correction of Hallux Valgus

There is a paucity of literature characterizing risk factors for nonunion associated with the modified Lapidus procedure for correction of hallux valgus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with nonunion for Lapidus bunionectomies. Patients who underwent modified Lapidus procedure from 2009 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient's age, sex, body mass index, prior bunionectomy, history of tobacco use, presence of diabetes mellitus or hypothyroidism, and fixation method were recorded along with pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters. A multiple logistic regression analysis was implemented to estimate the odds of nonunion. Of the 222 patients who met inclusion criteria, nonunion with modified Lapidus procedure was observed in 20 patients (9.01%). Odds of nonunion with modified Lapidus procedure were greater for patients who had undergone previous bunionectomy (odds ratio [OR] = 3.957, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.021-15.338), as body mass index increased (OR = 1.091, 95% CI: 1.018-1.170), and as preoperative HV angle increased (OR = 1.108, 95% CI: 1.020-1.203). Odds of nonunion were lower for patients as preoperative intermetatarsal angle increased (OR = 0.739, 95% CI: 0.580-0.941). No significant increased odds of nonunion were found between fixation methods.

Early Weightbearing After Arthrodesis of the First Metatarsal-Medial Cuneiform Joint: A Systematic Review of the Incidence of Nonunion

Arthrodesis of the first metatarsal-medial cuneiform articulation is a reliable and effective surgery for correction of hallux abducto valgus deformity. However, one potential relative contraindication to the procedure is the extended period of non-weightbearing immobilization that is typically associated with the postoperative course. The objective of this investigation was to perform a systematic review of the incidence of nonunion after early weightbearing in patients who underwent arthrodesis of the first metatarsal-medial cuneiform articulation for correction of a hallux abducto valgus deformity. We performed a review of electronic databases with the inclusion criteria of retrospective case series, retrospective clinical cohort analyses, and prospective clinical trials with 15 or more participants; a mean follow-up period ≥12 months; a postoperative early weightbearing protocol (defined as ≤2 weeks); a clear description of the fixation construct; and a reported incidence rate of nonunion. Eight studies met our inclusion criteria, with a total of 443 arthrodeses analyzed. Of these, 16 (3.61%) were described as developing a nonunion. This would likely be considered an acceptable rate of nonunion when considering this procedure and might indicate that the Lapidus procedure does not always require an extended period of postoperative non-weightbearing immobilization.

A New Mini-External Fixator for Treating Hallux Valgus: A Preclinical, Biomechanical Study

Proximal metatarsal osteotomy is the most effective technique for correcting hallux valgus deformities, especially in metatarsus primus varus. However, these surgeries are technically demanding and prone to complications, such as nonunion, implant failure, and unexpected extension of the osteotomy to the tarsometatarsal joint. In a preclinical study, we evaluated the biomechanical properties of the fixator and compared it with compression screws for treating hallux valgus with a proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Of 18 metatarsal composite bone models proximally osteotomized, 9 were fixed with a headless compression screw and 9 with the mini-external fixator. A dorsal angulation of 10° and displacement of 10 mm were defined as the failure threshold values. Construct stiffness and the amount of interfragmentary angulation were calculated at various load cycles. All screw models failed before completing 1000 load cycles. In the fixator group, only 2 of 9 models (22.2%) failed before 1000 cycles, both between the 600th and 700th load cycles. The stability of fixation differed significantly between the groups (p < .001). The stability provided by the mini-external fixator was superior to that of compression screw fixation. Additional testing of the fixator is indicated.