Ichiro Tonogai1, Fumio Hayashi2, Yoshihiro Tsuruo3, Koichi Sairyo4. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. Electronic address: i.tonogai@tokushima-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. Electronic address: f2muming@tokushima-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. Electronic address: tsuruo@tokushima-u.ac.jp. 4. Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Biomedical Science, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. Electronic address: ksairyo@tokushima-u.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to identify the artery feeding the fifth metatarsal and determine how bunionette osteotomy could injure this vessel. METHODS: The nutrient artery entering the fifth metatarsal was investigated in 10 adult cadaveric lower limbs by barium injection and enhanced computed tomography. RESULTS: The nutrient artery entered the medial aspect of the fifth metatarsal around the junction of the middle and proximal thirds obliquely from a distal direction (mean angle 36°) in the coronal plane in all cases; in the axial plane, the point of entry and direction of the artery was medial-plantar (mean angle 49°). CONCLUSIONS: This report revealed direction and location of the nutrient artery entering the fifth metatarsal.
BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to identify the artery feeding the fifth metatarsal and determine how bunionette osteotomy could injure this vessel. METHODS: The nutrient artery entering the fifth metatarsal was investigated in 10 adult cadaveric lower limbs by barium injection and enhanced computed tomography. RESULTS: The nutrient artery entered the medial aspect of the fifth metatarsal around the junction of the middle and proximal thirds obliquely from a distal direction (mean angle 36°) in the coronal plane in all cases; in the axial plane, the point of entry and direction of the artery was medial-plantar (mean angle 49°). CONCLUSIONS: This report revealed direction and location of the nutrient artery entering the fifth metatarsal.