J Lange1, H Merk, T Barz, C Walther, N Follak. 1. Klinik für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie, Universität Greifswald. joern.lange@uni-greifswald.de
Abstract
AIM: This prospective report evaluates the clinical outcome of titanium arthroplasty in the management of hallux metatarsophalangeal joints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eigthy joints in 78 patients were treated surgically with the titanium implant for hallux metatarsophalangeal joints between January 2000 and April 2007. There were 56 women and 22 men. The mean age was 58 (range: 34 - 80) years, and the mean follow-up was 56 (range: 6 - 87) months. The pathological indications were hallux rigidus (85.5 %), metatarsalhead necrosis (8.5 %), revision of Keller-Brandes (3.6 %) and 2 cases were done as a revision of silastic to titanium prosthesis and a revision of pseudarthrosis after arthrodesis (2.4 %). The patients were subsequently examined by means of clinical and radiological assessments. The clinical function was classified using the score of Kitaoka et al. RESULTS: The mean time taken to get back to normal activities is 35.2 (range: 21 - 76) days. The average Kitaoka score improved to 75 points (p < 0.05) at 3 months postoperatively and to 85 points (p < 0.05) at 6 months postoperatively. The mean range of motion achieved was 38.6 degrees (range ex 21.5 degrees /flex 17.1 degrees ). CONCLUSION: The clinical results of titanium arthroplasty were good. The advantages of this procedure are preservation of joint movement and good pain relief with an early mobilisation.
AIM: This prospective report evaluates the clinical outcome of titanium arthroplasty in the management of hallux metatarsophalangeal joints. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eigthy joints in 78 patients were treated surgically with the titanium implant for hallux metatarsophalangeal joints between January 2000 and April 2007. There were 56 women and 22 men. The mean age was 58 (range: 34 - 80) years, and the mean follow-up was 56 (range: 6 - 87) months. The pathological indications were hallux rigidus (85.5 %), metatarsalhead necrosis (8.5 %), revision of Keller-Brandes (3.6 %) and 2 cases were done as a revision of silastic to titanium prosthesis and a revision of pseudarthrosis after arthrodesis (2.4 %). The patients were subsequently examined by means of clinical and radiological assessments. The clinical function was classified using the score of Kitaoka et al. RESULTS: The mean time taken to get back to normal activities is 35.2 (range: 21 - 76) days. The average Kitaoka score improved to 75 points (p < 0.05) at 3 months postoperatively and to 85 points (p < 0.05) at 6 months postoperatively. The mean range of motion achieved was 38.6 degrees (range ex 21.5 degrees /flex 17.1 degrees ). CONCLUSION: The clinical results of titanium arthroplasty were good. The advantages of this procedure are preservation of joint movement and good pain relief with an early mobilisation.