Hallux rigidus was first described in 1887. Many aetiological factors have been postulated, but none has been supported by scientific evidence. We have examined the static and dynamic imbalances in the first metatarsophalangeal joint which we postulated could be the cause of this condition. We performed a finite-element analysis study on a male subject and calculated a mathematical model of the joint when subjected to both normal and abnormal physiological loads. The results gave statistically significant evidence for an increase in tension of the plantar fascia as the cause of abnormal stress on the articular cartilage rather than mismatch of the articular surfaces or subclinical muscle contractures. Our study indicated a clinical potential cause of hallux rigidus and challenged the many aetiological theories. It could influence the choice of surgical procedure for the treatment of early grades of hallux rigidus

Manipulation of the metatarsophalangeal joint and injection with steroid and local anaesthetic are widely practised in the treatment of hallux rigidus, but there is little information on the outcome. We report the results of this procedure carried out on 37 joints, with a minimum follow-up of one year (mean, 41.2 months). Patients with mild (grade-1) changes gained symptomatic relief for a median of six months and only one-third required surgery. Two-thirds of patients with moderate (grade-2) disease proceeded to open surgery. In advanced (grade-III) hallux rigidus, little symptomatic relief was obtained and all patients required operative treatment. We recommend that joints are graded before treatment and that manipulation under anaesthetic and injection be used only in early (grades I and II) hallux rigidus

The clinical, radiological and pathological features of hallux rigidus affecting nine toes (in seven patients) are described. Characteristic chondral and osteochondral lesions are seen to occur at a specific site on the metatarsal head, and account for the limitation of dorsiflexion but relatively unrestricted plantarflexion typical of hallux rigidus. Radiologically these lesions are often missed because they are mainly cartilaginous and are later obscured by secondary degenerative changes. Histological evidence indicates a traumatic aetiology and a mechanism of injury is suggested

Aims. Arthroplasty for end-stage hallux rigidus (HR) is controversial. Arthrodesis remains the gold standard for surgical treatment, although is not without its complications, with rates of up to 10% for nonunion, 14% for reoperation and 10% for metatarsalgia. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of a double-stemmed silastic implant (Wright-Medical, Memphis, Tennessee, USA) for patients with end-stage HR. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of 108 consecutive implants in 76 patients, between January 2005 and December 2016, with a minimum follow-up of two years. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 61.6 years (42 to 84). There were 104 females and four males. Clinical, radiological, patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) data, a visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, and satisfaction scores were collected. Results. The survivorship at a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (2.1 to 14.1) was 97.2%. The mean Manchester Oxford Foot and Ankle Questionnaire (MOXFQ) scores improved from 78.1 to 11.0, and VAS scores for pain from 7/10 to 1.3/10. The rate of satisfaction was 90.6%. Three implants (2.8%) required revision; one for infection, one-month postoperatively, and two for stem breakage at 10.4 and 13.3 years postoperatively. There was a 1.9% reoperation rate other than revision, 23.1% of patients developed a minor complication, and 21.1% of patients had non-progressive and asymptomatic cysts on radiological review. Conclusion. We report a 97.2% survivorship at a mean follow-up of 5.3 years with this implant. We did not find progressive osteolysis, as has been previously reported. These results suggest that this double-stemmed silastic implant provides a predictable and reliable alternative with comparable outcomes to arthrodesis for the treatment of end-stage HR. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(2):220–226

Aims. To examine the mid-term outcome and cost utility of the BioPro metallic hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of hallux rigidius. Patients and Methods. We reviewed 97 consecutive BioPro metallic hemiarthroplasties performed in 80 patients for end-stage hallux rigidus, with a minimum follow-up of five years. There were 19 men and 61 women; their mean age was 55 years (22 to 74). No patient was lost to follow-up. Results. A total of 12 patients (15 first metatarso-phalangeal joints (MTPJs)) required a revision; one for infection, two for osteolysis and 12 for pain. The all cause rate of survival at five years was 85.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 83.5 to 87.9). Younger age was a significant predictor of revision (odds ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17, p = 0.014) on excluding infection and adjusting for confounding variables (Cox regression). Significant improvements were demonstrated at five years in the Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (13.9, 95% CI 10.5 to 17.2) and in the physical component of the Short Form-12 score (6.5, 95% CI 4.1 to 8.9). The overall rate of satisfaction was 75%. The cost per quality adjusted life year at five years, accounting for a 14% rate of revision was between £4431 and £6361 depending on the complexity and morbidity of the patient. Conclusion. The BioPro hemiarthroplasty offers good short to mid-term functional outcome and is a cost effective intervention. The relatively high revision rate is associated with younger age and perhaps the use of this implant should be limited to older patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:945–51

Eight women had 10 toes treated for hallux rigidus by dorsal wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx and were reviewed after an average follow-up of 22 years. Five toes were symptom-free, four others did not restrict walking, and only one had required metatarsophalangeal fusion. We conclude that dorsal wedge osteotomy affords long-lasting benefits for hallux rigidus in the adolescent female

1. Clinically, hallux rigidus is a painful condition of the joints of the great toe associated with loss of dorsiflexion of the first phalanx. 2. Pathologically, the morbid changes are those of a traumatic synovitis followed by an early development of osteoarthritis, the initial lesions of which are erosions of the cartilage at the centre and near the dorsal margin of the base of the proximal phalanx. There is no fundamental pathological difference between the adult and adolescent varieties of hallux ngidus. Both represent stages in the developmental cycle of osteoarthritis in the proximal joint of the great toe. 3. The radiographic density and apparent fragmentation of the phalangeal epiphysis do not represent an abnormality of the bone and have no significance in the etiology of hallux rigidus. 4. The cause of hallux rigidus is an abnormal gait developed either to protect an injured or inflamed metatarso-phalangeal joint from the pressure of weight-bearing, or to stabilise a hypermobile first metatarsal. The effects of this gait are to transfer most of the pressure from the flexor brevis tendon and the two sesamoids to the base of the first phalanx. Excessive pressure on this joint predisposes to osteoarthritis. 5. Evidence of this abnormal gait is found in the peculiarities of wear seen in old shoes. 6. There is a high correlation between unilateral hallux rigidus and the patient's footedness

1. The etiology of hallux rigidus has been studied by an examination of ten adolescent and four adult patients. 2. Although osteochondritis dissecans of the metatarsal head has been seen in two cases, our evidence generally suggests that metatarsus primus elevatus is the important etiological factor in established hallux rigidus. 3. The common factor for the production of symptoms is the limitation of dorsiflexion of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint, just as the key to treatment is the existence of a good range of plantar-flexion of the joint. 4. The technique and results of the operation of phalangeal extension osteotomy for hallux rigidus are given

Various prostheses for total replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint for painful hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are briefly discussed. Altogether, the results of eighty-six replacements in sixty-nine patients have been recorded after an average interval of two years. In seventy-eight operations a Silastic* prosthesis as designed by Swanson for the replacement of metacarpophalangeal joints was used, with no case of fracture or deep infection up to date. Overall, the assessment of pain showed that 98 per cent of operations gave either complete or considerable relief. For hallux valgus, the objective assessment showed excellent or good results in 79 per cent, fair in 16 per cent and poor in 5 per cent. For hallux rigidus the corresponding figures were 86, 14 and 0. The technique of replacement described promises to be most satisfactory, especially for hallux rigidus. In selected cases of hallux valgus, a basal osteotomy of the first metatarsal should be added

We reviewed 55 patients (78 feet) who had undergone silicone hemiarthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint for hallux valgus (40) or hallux rigidus (38). At a mean period of 4.5 years (1 to 11), 56 feet had radiological evidence suggestive of silicone granulomatous disease. The frequency and severity of the changes increased with time from the operation. Histological material from three revisions confirmed the presence of silicone granulomata. We recommend that the operation of silicone hemiarthroplasty for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus be abandoned

This is a review of 77 partial replacement and interposition arthroplasties in which Silastic implants were used. The operations were carried out between 1971 and 1977 on the metatarsophalangeal joints of the great toes of 62 patients. Twenty-six of the operations were for painful hallux rigidus and 51 for hallux valgus. The patients were reviewed 12 to 92 months after operation, the average follow-up being 60 months. The analysis of results indicated that while the procedure may be suitable for hallux rigidus its use for hallux valgus is not fully satisfactory in the long run

1. A survey has been made of 518 operations for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. 2. The methods of critical examination used in this survey are described. 3. The results obtained have led to the formulation of certain views on etiology and modes of treatment. 4. In hallux valgus in the adolescent, operations aimed at correcting the primary deformity are justifiable when correctly performed, though the exact form such operations should take still requires further study. 5. In hallux valgus in the adult, arthroplasty offers a reasonably good solution in the well chosen case, though no one should consider that the results are so good as to make unnecessary any further research in this field. Metatarsal osteotomy has in the adult only a limited sphere of application. 6. In hallux rigidus arthroplasty alone has no place in the treatment of the adult cases showing metatarsus primus elevatus, nor in the adolescent case. The possibilities of other methods of operative treatment, notably osteotomy, are discussed

There are many operations for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, but Keller's operation remains one of the most popular, particularly for the older patient. A prospective trial was carried out to compare the results of Keller's operation modified by Kirschner-wire distraction with those of the standard operation. The results suggest that there is no advantage in using temporary Kirschner-wire distraction; indeed, degenerative changes in the interphalangeal joint and a subjectively worse result may result from its use

We report a prospective randomised trial comparing Keller's arthroplasty and arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint for the management of symptomatic hallux valgus and hallux rigidus in the older patient. In 81 patients (110 feet), with a minimum of two years follow-up, both procedures gave a similar degree of patient satisfaction and symptom relief. The incidence of metatarsalgia was also similar. As there were no obvious advantages to arthrodesis, and since six out of 50 arthrodesed toes required revision, we suggest that Keller's arthroplasty is the better operation in these patients

Aims

The mainstay of surgical correction of hallux valgus is first metatarsal osteotomy, either proximally or distally. We present a technique of combining a distal chevron osteotomy with a proximal opening wedge osteotomy, for the correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus.

In a prospective randomised study 31 patients were allocated to either arthrodesis or Mayo resection of the first metatarsophalangeal joint as part of a total reconstruction of the rheumatoid forefoot. Of these, 29 were re-examined after a mean of 72 months (57 to 80), the Foot Function Index was scored and any deformity measured. Load distribution was analysed using a Fscan mat in 14 cases, and time and distance were measured in 12 of these patients using a 3D Motion system. We found excellent patient satisfaction and a significant, lasting reduction of the Foot Function Index, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. There were no significant differences in recurrence of the deformity, the need for special shoes, gait velocity, step length, plantar moment, mean pressure or the position of the centre of force under the forefoot. The cadence was higher and the stance phase shorter in the fusion group.

These results suggest that a Mayo resection may be an equally good option for managing the first metatarsophalangeal joint in reconstruction of the rheumatoid forefoot.

Moderate to severe hallux valgus is conventionally treated by proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Several recent studies have shown that the indications for distal metatarsal osteotomy with a distal soft-tissue procedure could be extended to include moderate to severe hallux valgus.

The purpose of this prospective randomised controlled trial was to compare the outcome of proximal and distal Chevron osteotomy in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus.

The original study cohort consisted of 50 female patients (100 feet). Of these, four (8 feet) were excluded for lack of adequate follow-up, leaving 46 female patients (92 feet) in the study. The mean age of the patients was 53.8 years (30.1 to 62.1) and the mean duration of follow-up 40.2 months (24.1 to 80.5). After randomisation, patients underwent a proximal Chevron osteotomy on one foot and a distal Chevron osteotomy on the other.

At follow-up, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal (MTP-IP) score, patient satisfaction, post-operative complications, hallux valgus angle, first-second intermetatarsal angle, and tibial sesamoid position were similar in each group. Both procedures gave similar good clinical and radiological outcomes.

This study suggests that distal Chevron osteotomy with a distal soft-tissue procedure is as effective and reliable a means of correcting moderate to severe hallux valgus as proximal Chevron osteotomy with a distal soft-tissue procedure.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:202–7.

Damage to the dorsomedial branch of the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve is not uncommon in surgery of the hallux. The resultant morbidity can be disabling. In the light of the senior author’s operative observation of a sentinel vein, we undertook a cadaver study to investigate the anatomical relationships of the dorsomedial branch of the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve. This established that in 14 of 16 cadaver great toes exposed via a modified medial incision, there is an easily identified vein which runs transversely superficial and proximal to the nerve. In a prospective clinical study of 171 operations on the great toe using this approach, we confirmed this anatomical relationship in 142 procedures (83%), with no complaint of numbness or pain in the scar at follow-up. We attribute this to careful identification of the ‘sentinel’ vein and the subjacent sensory nerve, which had been successfully protected from damage. We recommend this technique when operating on the great toe.

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy in patients with moderate hallux valgus.

We retrospectively reviewed 34 proximal chevron osteotomies without lateral release (PCO group) and 33 distal chevron osteotomies (DCO group) performed sequentially by a single surgeon. There were no differences between the groups with regard to age, length of follow-up, demographic or radiological parameters. The clinical results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system and the radiological results were compared between the groups.

At a mean follow-up of 14.6 months (14 to 32) there were no significant differences in the mean AOFAS scores between the DCO and PCO groups (93.9 (82 to 100) and 91.8 (77 to 100), respectively; p = 0.176). The mean hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid position were the same in both groups. The metatarsal declination angle decreased significantly in the PCO group (p = 0.005) and the mean shortening of the first metatarsal was significantly greater in the DCO group (p < 0.001).

We conclude that the clinical and radiological outcome after a DCO is comparable with that after a PCO; longer follow-up would be needed to assess the risk of avascular necrosis.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:649–56.

There are few reports of the surgical treatment for late stage Freiburg’s disease with flattening of the metatarsal head and osteoarthritis. We describe the results of the surgical treatment of ten consecutive patients with advanced stage Freiburg’s disease (Smillie’s stage V), using a technique that has not been published previously.