DISHARMONIOUS METATARSALS (HALLUX VALGUS EXCEPTED)

Abstract

Purpose of the study: Static metatarsalgia is a common complaint in podology surgery. Most cases are related to the great toe, but in certain cases, isolated metatarsal disharmony, without hallux vlgus, can be observed. We report 45 such cases.

Material and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of isolated metatarsal disharmony observed in patients who underwent metatarsal surgery between 1986 and 2003. There were 36 women and 9 men, mean age 49 years. Three subgroups were distinguished: posttraumatic disharmony, isolated disharmony of the second ray, iatrogenic disharmony. Conditions related to rheumatoid disease, aseptic osteonecrosis of the metatarsal heads, and rear foot disorders were excluded. Surgical treatment was osteotomy of the base of the metatarsal for 24 patients, and Weil’s osteotomy for 21. Clinical and radiological assessment used the Kitaoko and Maestro criteria.

Results: Mean preoperative score was 38 (range 21–58). Mean gain one year after osteotomy was 35 points. The score was 76 after osteotomy of the metatarsal base and 79 after Weil osteotomy. The less favorable results were observed in the group of posttraumatic metatarsalgias. Outcom was less satisfactory in the male population where residual metatarsalgia was noted in 75%. Reflex dystrophy occurred in 15% of the patients who had multiple osteotomies. Radiographically, The SM4 line was centered with progressive geometry in 50%.

Discussion: While the short-term results obtained with these two surgical methods were similar, osteotomy of the metatarsal base offers better long-term outcome. The osteotomy improved the functional score, even without improvement of radiological criteria. Initial treatment of metatarsal fractures should attempt to restore correct alignment of the metatarsals because of the poor results obtained with corrective osteotomy for posttraumatic misalignment.

Conclusion: When metatarsal disharmony is symptomatic, we propose osteotomy of the base of the metatarsals for the median rays in order to avoid transfer metatarsalgia. Complementary osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal is not always necessary.