Effect of Obesity on Patient-Perceived Outcomes After First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis

BACKGROUND

While first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis is a common and effective procedure, there is a paucity of studies examining obesity's effect on outcomes of 1st MTPJ arthrodesis. This study's purpose was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes following 1st MTPJ arthrodesis in obese versus non-obese patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 94 patients undergoing first MTPJ fusion over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of hallux valgus or hallux rigidus was performed. Surgical and postoperative outcomes were examined preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months follow-up via Visual Analog Pain scale (VAS), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) surveys, and data were stratified into 2 patient groups: BMI < 30 (n = 62, mean age 63.9 ± 9.1 and ≥ 30 (n = 32, mean age 61.9 ± 8.4).

RESULTS

Average overall VAS and SF-36 physical component scores improved significantly at 6 months (P < .001, .006) and 1 year postoperative visits (P < .001, .007) with no differences in survey scores, outcomes, or complications between weight groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed first MTPJ fusion improves short-term pain and physical quality-of-life in arthritic obese and non-obese patients without differences in nonunion, complications, or patient-reported measures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, Prognostic, Case-Control Study.

A Retrospective Study Assessing the Clinical Outcomes After Cheilectomy and Subchondroplasty for Hallux Rigidus

Introduction Hallux rigidus (HR) refers to osteoarthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint, resulting in stiffness, pain, and limitation in daily function. Surgery of HR is indicated in those who have failed a trial of non-operative management and is typically divided into joint-preserving (JP) and joint-sacrificing procedures. Cheilectomy is the most commonly practiced JP procedure, often done in conjunction with associated procedures for HR. Our paper aims to report the clinical outcomes after cheilectomy and cheilectomy done with subchondroplasty (SCP) performed for HR. Methods All patients who underwent cheilectomy for HR between 2017 and 2022 were identified and had their outcomes evaluated at the time of this review. The patients had their pre-operative radiographs and clinical and operative notes analyzed for the grading of HR. Functional outcomes were assessed with the use of the visual analog scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, as well as comparing the pre-operative and post-operative degree of dorsiflexion of the affected first metatarsophalangeal joint. This study was approved by the SingHealth Institutional Review Board (IRB) Institution with approval number 2021/2629. Results A total of 19 patients and 20 feet were included in our study at a mean follow-up of 29.8 months. There was an increase in dorsiflexion of the first MTP joint by 27.2 degrees (p-value = <0.0001). Patients who underwent cheilectomy alone (Group 1) had a mean improvement in VAS scores of 5.46 (p-value = <0.0001). Patients who underwent SCP of the first metatarsal head along with cheilectomy (Group 2) had an improvement in VAS scores by 5.78 (p-value = 0.0007). There was a mean improvement in AOFAS scores of 25.6 (p-value = <0.0001) for patients in Group 1. Patients in Group 2 had a mean improvement in AOFAS scores of 31.0 (p-value = 0.0003). Conclusion Both cheilectomy and cheilectomy performed with SCP for HR show good outcomes at short-term follow-up (mean 29.8 months). Cheilectomy is a viable alternative to arthrodesis for the surgical treatment of HR even in patients with higher grades. The use of SCP should be further explored as an adjunct in the surgical treatment of HR.

Assessment and Management of Atraumatic First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Pain

Nontraumatic pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint is frequent and can be debilitating. The metatarsophalangeal joint complex comprises four articulating surfaces including the first metatarsal, the proximal phalanx, and tibial and fibular sesamoids, which are all contained within a synovial capsule. The most common causes of pain are hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. However, other diagnoses, such as functional hallux limitus, sesamoiditis, gout, and inflammatory autoimmune arthritis, need to be considered as well. A systematic approach is key to accurately diagnose the source of pain, which can sometimes be the result of more than one condition. The most important clinical information to obtain is a focused history, meticulous clinical examination based on understanding the precise anatomy and biomechanics of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and analysis of the relevant imaging. Each pathology has a different treatment algorithm, as such, understanding the pathoanatomy and biomechanics is important in forming an effective treatment plan.

Preoperative Risk Factors for Primary Metatarsophalangeal Arthroplasty Revision to MTP Arthrodesis for Hallux Rigidus

BACKGROUND

Revision or conversion to arthrodesis following metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthroplasty are salvage procedures to manage complications of MTP joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to use a national administrative database to characterize nationwide trends of patients undergoing hallux MTP arthrodesis vs arthroplasty for hallux rigidus. Additionally, the authors sought to evaluate demographic trends and evaluate influence of patient-related risk factors in those undergoing MTP arthroplasty revision to arthrodesis.

METHODS

Patients who underwent MTP arthroplasty for diagnosis of hallux rigidus from 2010 to 2019 were identified in the Mariner subset of the PearlDiver database. Patients were included if they had undergone MTP arthroplasty for the diagnosis of hallux rigidus. Notably, the database lacks resolution about critical features of the arthroplasty design and materials. The revision cohort encompassed patients who underwent subsequent ipsilateral MTP arthrodesis or arthroplasty within 2 years of index arthroplasty procedure. Demographic characteristics and medical comorbidities were examined as potential patient-related risk factors for arthroplasty revision or revision to fusion. Univariate analyses were performed to analyze differences in patient demographics, comorbidities, and risk factors. A multivariate regression analysis was subsequently conducted to control for confounding variables.

RESULTS

2750 patients underwent primary MTP arthroplasty for diagnosis of hallux rigidus. Of these, 44 (1.6%) underwent revision arthroplasty and 188 patients (6.8%) were revised to arthrodesis within the first 2 years after the index procedure. Multivariate regression analysis indicates that obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.09), depression (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.15-2.20), and steroid use (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.30-6.65) were associated with a statistically significant increase in revision to arthrodesis from primary arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Revision arthrodesis following primary MTP arthroplasty for hallux rigidus within 2 years was found to be a relatively common occurrence in this national insurance database study. Risk factors for revision arthroplasty to arthrodesis within 2 years of primary arthroplasty include obesity, depression, and steroid use.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, case-control study.

Postoperative Findings of Common Foot and Ankle Surgeries: An Imaging Review

Foot and ankle surgery is increasingly prevalent. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying common foot and ankle deformities is useful in understanding surgical procedures used to restore normal biomechanics. As surgical techniques evolve, it is important for the radiologist to be familiar with these procedures, their expected postoperative appearance, and potential complications. This article reviews the key imaging findings of a variety of common and important foot and ankle surgical procedures.

The SWING test: A more reliable test than passive clinical tests for assessing sagittal plane hip mobility

BACKGROUND

Clinical assessment of sagittal plane hip mobility is usually performed using the Modified Thomas Test (for extension) and the Straight-Leg-Raise (for flexion) with a goniometer. These tests have limited reliability, however. An active swinging leg movement test (the SWING test), assessed using 3D motion analysis, could provide an alternative to these passive clinical tests.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is the SWING test a more reliable alternative to evaluate hip mobility, in comparison to the clinical extension and flexion tests?

METHODS

Ten asymptomatic adult participants were evaluated by two investigators over three sessions. Participants performed 10 maximal hip extensions and flexions, with both legs straight and no trunk movement (the SWING test). Hip kinematics was assessed using a 3D motion analysis system. Maximal and minimal hip angles were calculated for each swing and represented maximal hip flexion (SWING flexion) and extension (SWING extension), respectively. The Modified Thomas Test and Straight-Leg-Raise were repeated 3 times for each leg. On the first day, both investigators performed all the tests (SWING + Modified Thomas Test + Straight-Leg-Raise). A week later, a single investigator repeated all the tests. Inter-rater, intra-rater, within-day and between-day reliability were evaluated using intra-class correlation.

RESULTS

Intra-class correlation coefficients for all the tests were superior to 0.8, except for the Modified Thomas Test's intra-rater, between-day (intra-class correlation 0.673) and the Straight-Leg-Raise's inter-rater, within-day (intra-class correlation 0.294). The SWING test always showed a higher intra-class correlation coefficient than the passive clinical tests. The only significant correlation found was for the Straight-Leg-Raise and SWING flexion (r = 0.48; P < 0.001).

SIGNIFICANCE

The SWING test seems to be an alternative to existing passive clinical tests, offering better reliability for assessing sagittal plane hip mobility.

Cheilectomy With or Without Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane-Umbilical Cord Allograft for Hallux Rigidus

BACKGROUND

For hallux rigidus, dorsal cheilectomy remains a treatment option even with advances in interposition techniques and devices. Cheilectomy aims to alleviate dorsal impingement and improve pain and function as well as range of motion. Cryopreserved umbilical cord allograft, with properties to mitigate inflammation and scar formation, has theoretical benefit for improving outcomes following cheilectomy. In this first prospective randomized and blinded cheilectomy study reported, we aimed to compare outcomes between cheilectomy alone and cheilectomy with umbilical cord allograft.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to cheilectomy alone (CA) or cheilectomy with cryopreserved umbilical cord (ie, amniotic membrane-umbilical cord [AM-UC]). Patients were evaluated with American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), and visual analog scale (VAS) pain outcomes collected preoperatively and at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. In addition, radiographic range of motion data were collected using stress radiographs. Fifty-one patients (26 AM-UC, 25 CA) completed the study, with 5 bilateral surgeries in the AM-UC group and 2 in the CA group, totaling 31 and 27 feet, respectively.

RESULTS

The AM-UC group had statistically significant improved AOFAS and FFI scores at 1 year compared with the CA group, but there was no difference at 6 months. There was no significant difference between groups for VAS-pain scores at any time point, but overall VAS-pain improved in both groups from preoperative values. There was no significant difference in range of motion (total arc) between groups and changes in range of motion (total arc) in both groups from preoperative to 1 year postoperative were small.

CONCLUSION

We present the results of the first randomized and blinded prospective study of cheilectomy surgery patients. When appropriately selected, cheilectomy remains a good option for patients with symptomatic hallux rigidus. Cryopreserved umbilical cord is a potential adjuvant to cheilectomy, with 1-year results showing improvements in functional outcome scores.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prospective comparative study.