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First metatarsal lengthening

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mather, R; Hurst, J; Easley, M; Nunley, JA
Published in: Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery
March 1, 2008

Shortening of the first metatarsal is known to occur during hallux valgus surgeries. If the shortened first ray disrupts the normal weight transfer, then transfer metatarsalgia may result. After failed conservative treatment, a common operative option is osteotomy of the lesser metatarsals. However, osteotomies of normal metatarsals further alter the normal anatomy and can significantly shorten the forefoot. Restoration of the first metatarsal length using distraction osteogenesis may more closely restore normal foot anatomy and biomechanics and subsequently treat transfer metatarsalgia. This article describes the operative technique and results from distraction osteogenesis using a 4-pin single mini-external fixator. Lengthening is complete once the affected first metatarsal is equal in length to the adjacent second metatarsal. In the authors' series of 5 patients, the mean consolidation period was 15.8 weeks. Preoperative and postoperative length of the first metatarsal was expressed as a percentage of the length of the ipsilateral second metatarsal. The preoperative mean was 77.1%, and the postoperative mean was 93.8%. There were no nonunions or malunions, and no secondary procedures such as bone grafting were required. There were no infections, malrotation, or malalignment. All patients reported reduction in their forefoot pain and returned to a nonantalgic full weight-bearing gait. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery

DOI

EISSN

1538-1943

ISSN

1536-0644

Publication Date

March 1, 2008

Volume

7

Issue

1

Start / End Page

25 / 30

Related Subject Headings

  • Orthopedics
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Mather, R., Hurst, J., Easley, M., & Nunley, J. A. (2008). First metatarsal lengthening. Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery, 7(1), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1097/BTF.0b013e318165c21c
Mather, R., J. Hurst, M. Easley, and J. A. Nunley. “First metatarsal lengthening.” Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery 7, no. 1 (March 1, 2008): 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1097/BTF.0b013e318165c21c.
Mather R, Hurst J, Easley M, Nunley JA. First metatarsal lengthening. Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2008 Mar 1;7(1):25–30.
Mather, R., et al. “First metatarsal lengthening.” Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery, vol. 7, no. 1, Mar. 2008, pp. 25–30. Scopus, doi:10.1097/BTF.0b013e318165c21c.
Mather R, Hurst J, Easley M, Nunley JA. First metatarsal lengthening. Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery. 2008 Mar 1;7(1):25–30.

Published In

Techniques in Foot and Ankle Surgery

DOI

EISSN

1538-1943

ISSN

1536-0644

Publication Date

March 1, 2008

Volume

7

Issue

1

Start / End Page

25 / 30

Related Subject Headings

  • Orthopedics