To investigate the operative technique of treating Freiberg’s disease with dorsal wedge osteotomy and absorbable pin fixation, and to evaluate the cl inical outcome. Methods From June 2005 to June 2007, 8 patients with Freiberg’s disease were treated, including 2 males and 6 females aged 16-66 years old (average 36 years old). X-ray films revealed osteosclerosis, collapse of the metatarsal head and ischemic necrosis of the second metatarsal head. According toSmill ie classification system, there were 4 cases of stage II, 3 of stage III and 1 of stage IV. The duration of symptoms was 6-36 months (average 19 months). After dorsal wedge osteotomy, the metatarsal heads were rotated to reconstrust the joint surface, then 3-4 pieces of absorbable pin 1.5 mm in length were implanted for fixation. Results All wounds healed by first intention, and no early postoperative compl ications occurred. Five patients were followed for 11-35 months (average 14 months) and had significant pain rel ief. At 3 months after operation, the dorsal-flexion of metatarsophalangeal joint was improved by 0-50° (average 21°), and the plantar-flexion was increased by 0-10° (average 5°). X-ray films showed that solid union of the osteotomy was achieved in all patients at 8-13 weeks after operation (average 10 weeks). Average shortening of metatarsal was 1.7 mm (range 1.3-2.0 mm). All patients returned to sports and recreational activities at 4 months after operation, except one case of stage IV who had constant swelling and stiffness in the joint and was improved at 12 months after operation. Conclusion Dorsal wedge osteotomy in complex with absorbable pin fixation is an effective procedure for stage II and III Freiberg’s disease, because it is capable of reconstructing the metatarsophalangeal joint effectively, allowing early joint motion and avoiding a second operation.
ObjectiveTo compare the dorsiflexion osteotomy (DO) and implant arthroplasty (IA) in terms of clinical and radiographic outcomes for patients with advaced Freiberg disease.MethodsA clinical data of 25 cases of Freiberg disease, who were admitted between July 2012 and July 2016 and met selection criteria, was retrospectively reviewed. According to the Smillie classification, all patients were classified as stage Ⅳ-Ⅴ. Among them, 13 cases were treated with DO (DO group) and 12 cases were treated with IA (IA group). No significant difference was found between the two groups in gender, age, side of the affected metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, location, Smillie classification, disease duration, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of motion of the affected MTP joints, and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score (P>0.05). Total costs for index admissions were compared between the two groups. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in accordance with the VAS score, AOFAS score, and the range of motion of the affected MTP joints.ResultsAll incisions of the two groups healed by first intention. The follow-up time was 12-30 months (mean, 17 months) in DO group and 12-24 months (mean, 16 months) in IA group. The total cost of index admission was significantly higher in IA group than that n DO group (t=2.742, P=0.011). The AOFAS scores, VAS scores, and range of dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative value in the two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). X-ray film examination showed that the osteotomy healed within 8-12 weeks (mean, 9.5 weeks) after operation in DO group. None of the patients experienced internal fixator and implant related complications postoperatively.ConclusionDO and IA can provide significant improvement in pain and motion of the MTP joints for advanced Freiberg disease. But the DO may be the more economical method.