Scarf osteotomy for reduction of tailors bunion deformities: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tailors bunions are common forefoot deformities affecting the fifth MPJ, with challenging symptomatology often resistant to conservative care. Currently no gold standard exists for the surgical management of tailor's bunions, although the scarf osteotomy has been described as a versatile option for reducing these deformities.

METHODS

Relevant electronic databases were searched to collate all studies pertaining to tailors bunion correction using the scarf osteotomy between 2000 and 2021. Both surgeon and patient reported outcomes were required to be included in the systematic review. Methodological quality assessment and risk of bias was performed for each study. Statistical analysis of outcomes and complications was measured. Four small scale case series studies met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

All studies demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of 4th inter-metatarsal angles, improvement in clinical and patient reported outcome measures. 15% complication rate was identified, however recurring plantar hyperkeratoses were the most frequent, with one study suggesting a relationship with Pes Cavus. All four studies demonstrated significant methodological short comings and high risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

Scarf osteotomy provides good reduction of tailors' bunion deformities, demonstrates low complication rate and high patient satisfaction. Foot and Ankle surgeons should counsel patients' accordingly on risk of recurrence where hyperkeratosis is a key complaint.

Fifth metatarsal scarf osteotomy without implant fixation

Fifth metatarsal shaft osteotomy has demonstrated efficacy for bunionette. We adapted screwless 1st metatarsal scarf osteotomy to the 5th ray. The technique consists in short osteotomy, translation and diaphyseal bone-suture. We report the first 25 operated feet, with mean AOFAS score 58.4 preoperatively and 94.9 postoperatively at a mean 25 months' follow-up. These results were comparable to reported data, whatever the deformity.

Consensus in percutaneous bunionette correction

PURPOSE

The percutaneous treatment of bunionette deformity has been demonstrated as a reliable and satisfying technique with low risk of complications. However, there are some obvious variations in the surgical technique and perioperative protocol. The purpose of this study is to analyze the currently used techniques and to look for some agreements.

HYPOTHESIS

There are some points of agreement in surgical technique and perioperative protocol when using a percutaneous technique to treat bunionette deformity.

METHODS

A survey was sent to 50 orthopedic surgeons with specific experience in percutaneous techniques. The questions were related to different aspects of the surgical bunionette procedure and the perioperative protocol.

RESULTS

A response rate of 92.0% was obtained. Several points of agreement were found. A condylectomy is rarely used while an osteotomy is performed in almost all procedures. This osteotomy is single (95.7%), complete (66.2-72.7%) and performed with a Shannon long burr (73.9%). The location of the osteotomy depends of the deformity (63.0%).

DISCUSSION

This study demonstrates some consensus in the use of the surgical technique and the perioperative protocol. The percutaneous oblique osteotomy is the preferred technique while a condylectomy is only rarely used.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V, Survey study.

Bunionette: Is There a Minimally Invasive Solution?

A bunionette deformity is a painful prominence on the lateral aspect of the fifth metatarsal head. Surgical treatment can be considered if conservative treatment has failed to relieve the symptoms. The percutaneous approach consists of 2 steps: a condylectomy and an osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal. The learning curve is small and the final results are similar to the open techniques. The main advantages are the hardware-free technique and the minimally invasive approach. This percutaneous approach avoids complications related to hardware and soft tissue healing. Because of this low complication rate, the percutaneous technique may become the new gold standard.

Bunionette deformity corrected with "shortening" scarf osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal: mid-term results of a 34-cases

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes (in mid-term) after "shortening" scarf osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal for the treatment of bunionette deformity.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the functional score - American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Lesser Toe Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale, radiographic results - 4th/5th intermetatarsal angle, varus angle of the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint and complications in a consecutive series of 34 feet (27 patients) with bunionette. Nine males and 18 females (mean age: 45 years) were included in the study. Three males and four females were operated bilaterally The patients were operated on between 2004 and 2015, and evaluated during 2017.

RESULTS

The average AOFAS score improved from 59.4 to 93 at a mean follow-up of 7.2 years. The 4th/5th intermetatarsal angle and varus angle of the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint decreased from 13.9°/19.5° preoperatively to 6°/5.9° at final follow-up. No neurovascular damage was recorded. Complications arose in five feet (14.7%): delayed union (n=1), early infection (n=1), distal screw migration (n=1), asymptomatic non-union (n=1), transverse metatarsalgia (n=1). The osteotomy healed within less than three months except twoo (delayed union, non-union). Three feet needed additional surgery: screw removal (n=2), Weil osteotomy of 2nd-4th metatarsals (n=1).

CONCLUSIONS

"Shortening" scarf osteotomy is an acceptable, but not complication-free, treatment option for the bunionette deformity and offers promising results in the mid-term.

Direction and location of the nutrient artery to the fifth metatarsal at risk in osteotomy for bunionette

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to identify the artery feeding the fifth metatarsal and determine how bunionette osteotomy could injure this vessel.

METHODS

The nutrient artery entering the fifth metatarsal was investigated in 10 adult cadaveric lower limbs by barium injection and enhanced computed tomography.

RESULTS

The nutrient artery entered the medial aspect of the fifth metatarsal around the junction of the middle and proximal thirds obliquely from a distal direction (mean angle 36°) in the coronal plane in all cases; in the axial plane, the point of entry and direction of the artery was medial-plantar (mean angle 49°).

CONCLUSIONS

This report revealed direction and location of the nutrient artery entering the fifth metatarsal.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of the Kramer osteotomy in the treatment of bunionette deformity

BACKGROUND

Bunionette deformity is a painful bony prominence of the 5th metatarsal. We evaluated outcomes of using a Kramer osteotomy to treat this condition.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients treated with a Kramer osteotomy from 2003 and 2016. Outcome measures included Foot Functional Index (FFI) and radiographic measurements.

RESULTS

38 patients (43 feet) with an average follow-up of 55 months. Mean postoperative FFI¹ was 19.4. Mean 4-5 IMA² improved 3.9°, from 8.3° preoperatively to 4.4° on final postoperative films (p<0.01). Mean MTP-5³ angle improved 13.2° from 13.6° preoperatively to 0.4° at final follow-up (p<0.01). There were 5 delayed unions (11.6%) and 1 non-union (2.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Kramer osteotomy is an effective treatment option in patients with bunionette deformity, with significant correction of the 4-5 IM² and MTP-5³ angles and few complications.

Anatomical considerations for minimally invasive osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal for bunionette correction - A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Operative correction of symptomatic bunionette by means of minimally invasive (MI) osteotomies of the 5th metatarsal (M5) has gained popularity. This study aims to investigate the safe zones of commonly used techniques and the risk of injury to neurological structures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten human fresh frozen cadaveric feet were dissected and branches of the sural nerve were identified. A frontal section of the feet was performed at the site of the skin incision described for M5 MI osteotomies (corresponding to distal and mid diaphyseal osteotomies). The location of the lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve (LDCN) of the sural nerve or its branches was documented using a goniometer and o'clock references placed on the frontal section of the M5.

RESULTS

The LDCN showed variations in the distribution of its branches, forming the dorsolateral branch - a single terminal branch for the 5th toe - in 6/10 cases or two terminal branches - the dorsolateral and dorsomedial - in 4/10. At the point of osteotomies, the dorsolateral branch was identified at a mean of 22.7° from the extensor tendon around the M5 circumference and in all cases between 12 and 2 o'clock in a right foot or 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock in a left.

CONCLUSION

The studied M5 osteotomies can place the dorsolateral branch of the fifth toe at risk and safe zones lie between 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock in any foot laterality. If these landmarks are considered, the risk of nerve damage is minimized when performing MI osteotomies of the M5.

Prevalence estimation and familial tendency of common forefoot deformities in Turkey: A survey of 2662 adults

Objective

This survey was designed to evaluate the prevalence estimations of HV, bunionette, hammertoe as well as their relations to shoe wearing and also familial tendency, in Turkey.

Material and Methods

Two thousand six hundred sixty two volunteers (1615 females and 1047 males) with a mean age of 34.15 ± 14.23 (range; 18 to 96) years were asked to answer the predetermined questionnaire between January and June, 2016. Hallux valgus, hammertoe and bunionette images were provided as references and every adult participant without any known forefoot problems or past forefoot surgery history was asked to rate his/her foot and to respond the questions about family history and shoe wearing habits. Responses were statistically analyzed.

Results

The prevalence estimations of hallux valgus, bunionette and hammertoe were calculated as 54.3%, 13.8% and 8.9% and positive family history rates were 53.2%, 61.2% and 56.1%, respectively. All three deformities were more common in females than in males (p < 0.001). Nonetheless the older age group reported significantly higher prevalence rates for only HV (p < 0.001). Likewise, among the three deformities, females reported a higher rate of positive family history only in HV compared to men (p < 0.001). Constricting shoe wear was found to affect HV incidence in women (p < 0.001) and bunionette incidence in both sexes (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study concludes that forefoot deformities are common with high familial tendency. Hence it is worthwhile to work on molecular genetics and this may enable the anticipation of forthcoming deformities in order to take early action in prevention, in nearly the half of the population.

A pictorial review of reconstructive foot and ankle surgery: elective lesser forefoot procedures

This pictorial review focuses on basic procedures performed within the field of podiatric surgery, specifically for elective procedures of the lesser forefoot including the correction of hammertoes and lesser metatarsal deformities. Our goal is to demonstrate objective radiographic parameters that surgeons utilize to initially define the deformity, lead to procedure selection and judge post-operative outcomes. We hope that radiologists will employ this information to improve their assessment of post-operative radiographs following reconstructive foot surgeries. First, relevant radiographic measurements are defined and their role in procedure selection explained. Second, the specific surgical procedures of the digital arthroplasty, digital arthrodesis, lesser metatarsal osteotomy, and correction of metatarsus adductus are described in detail. Finally, specific plain film radiographic findings that judge post-operative outcomes for each procedure are detailed.

Fifth Metatarsal Osteotomies

A tailor's bunion or bunionette deformity is a combination of osseous and soft tissue bursitis on the lateral aspect of the fifth metatarsal head. This article discusses 7 corrective measures: medial oblique sliding osteotomy with fixation, medial oblique slide osteotomy-minimal incision procedure without fixation, SERI (simple, effective, rapid, inexpensive) with fixation, chevron with or without fixation, closing, lateral wedge osteotomy at the metatarsal neck or proximal diaphysis, Weil osteotomy, and scarfette. These evidence-based techniques can be used by practitioners for medical management of their patients through evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis. Complications are also addressed.

Percutaneous bunionette correction: results of a 49-case retrospective study at a mean 34 months' follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Bunionette consists in a lateral prominence of the head of the fifth metatarsal (M5), inducing a callus. Toe malpositioning determines the varus, supraductus or infraductus form.

HYPOTHESIS

A percutaneous method without osteosynthesis was assessed in 38 patients suffering from this pathology.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A continuous single-operator multicenter series operated on between May 2005 and January 2012 was analyzed with mean follow-up of 34 months. The inclusion criterion was bunionette with or without varus deviation. All patients were operated on percutaneously without tourniquet, on a day-care basis. All were clinically assessed, preoperatively and at latest FU, by visual analog pain scale (VAS), AOFAS and Coughlin scores, and callus status. Standard radiological assessment comprised monitoring of intermetatarsal (M4M5) and metatarsophalangeal (M5P1) angles.

RESULTS

VAS decreased from 8 (range, 6-9) preoperatively to 0.3 (range, 0-1) out of 10 at follow-up. AOFAS score increased from 58 (range, 52-75) to 97 (range, 80-100) out of 100. According to the Coughlin score, 97.5% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied. Deformity correction was systematic, with disappearance of preoperative callus. M4M5 and M5P1 angles decreased respectively from 10° (range, 6-13°) and 16.2° (range, 8-24°) preoperatively to 5.5° (range, 4-8°) and 4.3° (range, 2-9°). There was 1 case of complex regional pain syndrome and 1 delayed consolidation.

DISCUSSION

This procedure appeared reliable for correcting all types of bunionette deformity. Other minimally invasive methods with comparable results use pin fixation. The advantages over conventional techniques are the quality of results, low morbidity and absence of osteosynthesis material. The percutaneous technique should, we believe, be widely adopted in this indication.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.