A comparative study on the results of the modified Ludloff osteotomy for hallux valgus deformities with minimal erosion of the metatarsophalangeal joints in rheumatoid patients versus non-rheumatoid patients

Preoperative patient's expectations and clinical outcomes after rheumatoid forefoot deformity reconstruction by joint sacrificing surgery

Objective

To study the clinical and radiologic factors related with overall patient satisfaction of joint scarifying reconstruction on severe rheumatoid forefoot deformity (RFD).

Methods

Forty cases of RFD were retrospectively enrolled. A questionnaire on the factors for patient's expectations and satisfactions of the greater and lesser toes was administered, including repression of relapse in deformity (D), pain reduction (P), improvement in shoe wearing (S), barefoot activity (B), and appearance (A). Overall satisfaction were assessed using the 5-digit-scale. Hallux valgus angle, 1, 2 intermetatarsal angle, and other radiologic parameters were measured. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between these factors and overall satisfaction.

Results

Overall satisfaction was 4.0±0.82. Postoperative radiologic parameters were corrected in adequate range. Visual analog scale (VAS) was reduced from 7.2±2.1 to 2.2±1.8. For the greater toe, patient's expectations (D, P, S, B, and A) were 4.2, 4.1, 3.0, 2.5, 2.7 and satisfactions were 4.2, 4.0, 3.4, 3.5, 3.3, respectively. For the lesser toes, patient's expectations (D, P, S, B, and A) were 3.9, 4.1, 3.4, 3.0, 2.8, and satisfactions were 3.4, 4.0, 3.4, 3.6, 2.9, respectively. Satisfactions with P and B, and reduction amounts of VAS were significantly correlated with overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

Although forefoot reconstruction with a joint sacrificing procedure is non-physiological, it could be a good surgical option for severe RFD. Each patient's expectations and satisfactions with this procedure could vary. Thus, it seems important to inform patients preoperatively that expectation could be fulfilled well or less.

Comparison of outcomes according to fixation technique following the modified Ludloff osteotomy for hallux valgus in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background

Clinical and radiological outcomes including fixation stability of osteotomy site were compared in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who underwent modified Ludloff osteotomy to correct hallux valgus with osteotomy site fixation using two screws versus those who underwent additional fixation using a plate.

Methods

The fixation technique performed with two screws was used to fix the osteotomy sites following modified Ludloff osteotomy in 15 patients (15 feet, Group S), while the augmented plate fixation technique was used in 14 patients (16 feet, Group P). Surgical outcomes were analysed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and radiologic parameters measured before surgery and during follow-up examinations. To evaluate the stability of each osteotomy site fixation technique, the 1–2 inter-metatarsal angle (IMA) and angle of the altered margin of the lateral cortex (AMLC) were measured immediately and 6 weeks after surgery, and variations in the angles were compared. In addition, bone mineral density (BMD) values were compared between patients with correction loss at the osteotomy site and those with no loss of correction.

Results

No significant differences between groups were found for total AOFAS scores before surgery and at the final follow-up. However, significant differences were observed in the 1–2 IMA, beginning at 6 weeks postoperatively and continuing through the final follow-up. The 1–2 IMA and angle of AMLC measured immediately after and 6 weeks after surgery showed significantly greater variation in Group S than in Group P. In Group S, patients with correction loss (5 feet) at osteotomy site showed significantly lower BMD values than those with no loss of correction (10 feet). Despite the lower BMD values of patients in Group P than in Group S, a loss of correction did not occur in these patients.

Conclusions

Correction loss occurred at the osteotomy site within 6 weeks postoperatively in patients who underwent fixation using only the two-screw fixation technique following modified Ludloff osteotomy; such loss could be reduced using the augmented plate fixation technique even in patients with osteoporosis.

Recurrence of deformity after silicone implant and resection arthroplasty of the metatarsophalangeal joint for rheumatoid arthritis: long-term results

OBJECTIVE

To examine the recurrence of deformity after silicone implant arthroplasty combined with resection arthroplasty for severe forefoot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

We reviewed the long-term results of this procedure for 27 feet in 15 patients. Their average age and disease duration at the time of operation were 58.6 years and 17.5 years, respectively, and the average follow-up period was 10.3 years.

RESULTS

An improved hallux valgus angle (45.3° preoperatively, 23.6° 6 months after operation) was maintained. By contrast, deformity and dislocation of lesser toe had recurred at the final follow-up; the angle between the proximal phalanx and the metatarsal of the second toe improved 13.4° with recurrence of 22.5°, the angle between the proximal phalanx and ground surface improved 22.4° with recurrence of 34.5. Furthermore, claw toe deformity at the final follow-up was significantly worse in the group whose hallux valgus deformity was observed 6 months after operation.

CONCLUSION

This procedure could maintain the alignment of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, but the recurrence of claw toe deformity is a problem and the relation between the first toe and the lesser toe is an important consideration.