PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The most frequent valgus deformity of the big toe is often associated with a collapse of the traverse arc of the foot. The purpose of the present study was to assess the results of forefoot reconstruction by the Brandes-Keller resection arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and the Helal metatarsal osteotomy when this deformity was present. MATERIAL A retrospective study of 40 consecutive patients with severe forefoot deformities was performed. The patients were treated at our department in the period from 1997 to 2003. The average age at the time of surgery was 54.7 years. Twelve patients underwent bilateral surgery. The results of 52 operations were evaluated. RESULTS Each patient returned for a personal interview by an independent investigator and a clinical examination. A post-operative forefoot score was calculated according to the system of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). This 100-point scale includes items related to pain, level of activity, deformity and motion. The average AOFAS score was 85.5 points post-operatively No pain was reported in 38 (75 %) forefeet, mild pain in 12 (23 5 %) forefeet and moderate pain in 1 (2 %) forefoot. The complications included slow healing of the wound in two patients (3.8 %) and asymptomatic pseudoarthrosis after metatarsal osteotomy in two patients (3.8 %). Five patients (9.6 %) reported persisting swelling of the foot dorsum for a period longer than 3 months. DISCUSSION In agreement with the majority of the published data we are of the opinion that the Brandes-Keller resection arthroplasty is a surgical method suitable to treat valgus deformities of the big toe with concomitant arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) in elderly patients whose weight-bearing demands are low. This treatment permits early post-operative weight-bearing. In younger patients with valgus deformity of the big toe without arthritis it is preferred to use techniques preserving the joint. The use of total replacement of the first MTP joint is open to discussion. CONCLUSIONS The Brandes-Keller procedure with the Helal metatarsal osteotomy, if correctly performed in indicated cases, results in painless walking in patients with forefoot deformity.

Ortopedické oddělení Pardubická krajská nemocnice a s Pardubice

Our results of the brandes-keller procedure and helal metatarsal osteotomy in patients with forefoot deformity

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