Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthroplasty versus arthrodesis for rheumatoid forefoot deformity. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the first MTP joint arthroplasty vs. arthrodesis for rheumatoid forefoot deformity published by February 2012 were searched in the databases such as CNKI, Ovid, MEDLINE, CBM, EMbase, WanFang Data, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2012), and KJEBM. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 4 RCTs were included. Among total 206 (269 feet) patients involved in, 98 (130 feet) were in the arthroplasty group, while the other 108 (139 feet) were in the arthrodesis group. The results of meta-analysis showed that the arthrodesis group was superior to the arthroplasty group in the footwear (MD=−0.88, 95%CI −1.55 to −0.22, P=0.01), and the alignment (MD=−5.04, 95%CI −8.94 to −1.14, Plt;0.000 01) with significant differences. But there were no significant differences between the two groups in patient satisfaction, metastatic lesions, pain, activity and weight-bearing of Hallux. Conclusion Based on the current studies, arthrodesis is superior to arthroplasty in treating rheumatoid forefoot deformity. For the quality restrictions and possible publication bias of the included studies, more double blind, high quality RCTs are required to further evaluate the effects.
OBJECTIVE: To provide a new reconstructive method to treat refractory ulcers on the sole of the forefoot. METHODS: The reversed medial plantar flap with the medial plantar pedal artery and vein as pedicle was used to treat the refractory ulcers on the sole of the forefoot in 5 cases. The size of the flap was 3.5-5.0 cm x 4.0-5.5 cm. The deformities were corrected at the same time and the flaps were protected after operation. RESULTS: All flaps survived without complications. There was no recurrence after 6-month following-up. The patients could walk. CONCLUSION: The distal ends of medial plantar pedal artery and vein have plenty anastomoses with dorsal pedal artery and deep plantar arch. The reversed medial plantar flap has reliable blood supply by these anastomoses. The reversed medial plantar flap should be a choice in treating refractory ulcers on the sole of the forefoot.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the procedure of reconstructing the transverse arch of the forefoot by anastomosing adductor hallucis and abductor hallucis tendons in correcting hallux valgus. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data from 28 patients (40 feet) with hallux valgus treated with the procedure of reconstructing the transverse arch of the forefoot by anastomosing adductor hallucis and abductor hallucis tendons between January 2010 and January 2014. There were 3 males (6 feet) and 25 females (34 feet), with an average age of 51.7 years (range, 20-71 years). The unilateral foot was involved in 16 cases and bilateral feet in 12 cases. The mean disease duration was 8.9 years (range, 1-30 years). All the cases had pain of the first metacarpophalangeal joint; 22 feet had collapsed transverse arch of the forefoot combined with plantar callus, and 8 feet had collapsed transverse arch of the forefoot combined with hammer toe deformity. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 59.07±8.49. Preoperative X-ray showed that the hallux valgus angle (HVA) was (33.68±8.10)°, and the intermetatarsal angle (IMA) was (15.60±4.07)°. According to classification of the hallux valgus by Mann, 9 feet were rated as mild, 23 feet as moderate, and 8 feet as severe. ResultsSuperficial infection of incision occurred in 1 case (1 foot) after surgery, and healing by first intention was obtained in the others. Two cases (3 feet) had numbness in the toes. All of 28 cases were followed up from 6 months to 4 years (1.8 years on average). Based on the AOFAS score, the results were excellent in 24 feet, good in 9 feet, fair in 4 feet, and poor in 3 feet, and the excellent and good rate was 82.5%. At last follow-up, the HVA, IMA, and AOFAS score were (15.10±5.28)°, (9.05±2.42)°, and 86.03±7.45 respectively, showing significant differences compared with preoperative ones (P=0.00). The collapsed transverse arch of the forefoot was recovered to some extent, plantar callus disappeared (14 feet), or decreased (8 feet). Recurrence of hallux valgus deformity was observed in 2 cases (3 feet) at 2 and 3 months after surgery respectively, and no hallux varus was found. ConclusionThis procedure not only can effectively reduce the increased hallux valgus angle, and narrow the angle between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal, but also can relocate the sesamoid system, reconstruct the transverse arch of the forefoot, and effectively restore the physiological anatomy structure and biological function of the forefoot.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of wide fascial and doubly vascularized pedicle posterior cnemis flap in repair of the soft tissue defect of forefoot.MethodsBetween March 2011 and March 2017, 18 cases with severe soft tissue defects of forefeet were repaired with the wide fascial and doubly vascularized pedicle posterior cnemis flaps. There were 13 males and 5 females with an average age of 33 years (range, 11-49 years). Of 18 cases, the defects were caused by trauma in 16 cases with an average disease duration of 15 hours (range, 3-72 hours), by infection after correction of spastic clubfoot in 1 case, and by infection after open fracture fixation in 1 case. The defects were on the planta of forefoot in 11 cases and on the dorsum of forefoot in 7 cases. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×9 cm. All defects combined with the bone, joint, and tendon exposures and 4 defects combined with fractures. The size of flaps ranged from 8 cm×5 cm to 17 cm×10 cm. All wounds of donor sites were repaired by skin grafting.ResultsThe operation time was 100-190 minutes (mean, 140 minutes). Seventeen flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention. One flap had partial necrosis and cured after dressing change. Seventeen cases were followed up 5-24 months (mean, 16 months). Both the color and texture of the flaps were satisfactory. But the pedicles of flaps were swollen. The functions of foot and ankle returned to normal.ConclusionThe wide fascial and doubly vascularized pedicle posterior cnemis flap has reliable blood supply and sufficient venous reflux to ensure its survive, which can be used to repair severe soft tissue defect of forefoot.