Comparison between Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation and Dorsiflexion Closing Wedge Metatarsal Osteotomy for Operative Treatment of Late-Stage Freiberg Disease in Adult Patients

Category: Lesser Toes; Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: This study aimed to compare the clinical results between osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) and dorsiflexion closing wedge metatarsal osteotomy (DCWMO) in symptomatic adult patients with late-stage Freiberg disease. Methods: Between 2012 and 2017, patients with late-stage Freiberg disease surgically treated with OAT (12 patients) or DCWMO (15 patients) were retrospectively identified. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society-lesser MTP- interphalangeal (AOFAS-LMI) score, visual analog scale score for subjective pain, and range of motion (ROM) were determined preoperatively and at final follow-up. Postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: The AOFAS-LMI score at final follow-up was significantly greater in the OAT group than in the DCWMO group (95.7 vs. 87.9, p<0.001), whereas plantarflexion at final follow-up was significantly lower in the DCWMO group than in the OAT group (30.0 degrees vs. 24.0 degrees, p=0.037). The DCWMO group reported more postoperative complications including postoperative joint stiffness, deformity, and pain recurrence. In the OAT group, one patient complained of mild knee pain. Conclusion: OAT seemed a better procedure for late-stage Freiberg disease compared with DCWMO in adult patients in terms of postoperative functional score and ROM, with lesser complication rates.

Interpositional Arthroplasty With Extensor Digitorum Brevis Tendon in Freiberg Disease

Background: No consensus has been reached in the treatment of Frieberg disease. Our aim was to evaluate medium- to long-term results of patients with advanced Freiberg disease managed with extensor digitorum brevis tendon interpositional arthroplasty. Methods: There were 24 patients (19 females, 5 males) managed with interpositional arthroplasty for advanced Freiberg disease between 2003 and 2015. The mean follow-up was 133.8 (range, 60-198) months. According to Smillie classification, there were 4 grade 3, 13 grade 4, and 7 grade 5 patients. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at the final follow-up with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion and postoperatively with visual analog scale (VAS) and subjective satisfaction evaluation. Joint space was evaluated on x-rays. Results: Mean AOFAS score increased (53.9 to 80.3, P = .001). Eight patients had excellent, 14 had good, and 2 had fair scores. A significant increase was found in dorsiflexion (38.1° [24°-52°] vs 55.3° [34°-65°]; P = .001) and plantarflexion (19.0° [10°-28°] vs 28.6° [19°-39°]; P = .001). Narrowing of the joint space was not seen in any patient, but expansion was determined in all patients (0.39 [0.35-0.47] vs 0.44 [0.41-0.47] cm; P = .002). Of the patients, 9 were very satisfied, 12 were satisfied, 2 were moderately satisfied, and 1 was dissatisfied. The mean postoperative VAS pain score was 1.7 ± 0.9 (0-4). Conclusion: After a minimum 5-year follow-up, most patients with Freiberg disease managed with interpositional arthroplasty using the extensor digitorum brevis tendon had excellent to good functional results with a widening of the joint space. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Comparison of Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation and Dorsiflexion Closing Wedge Metatarsal Osteotomy for Late-Stage Freiberg Disease in Adults

Background: This study aimed to compare the clinical results between osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) and dorsiflexion closing wedge metatarsal osteotomy (DCWMO) in symptomatic adult patients with late-stage Freiberg disease. Methods: Between 2012 and 2017, patients with late-stage Freiberg disease surgically treated with OAT (12 patients) or DCWMO (15 patients) were retrospectively identified. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society–lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (AOFAS-LMI) score, visual analog scale score for subjective pain, and range of motion (ROM) were determined preoperatively and at final follow-up. Postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: The AOFAS-LMI score at final follow-up was significantly greater in the OAT group than in the DCWMO group (95.7 vs 87.9, P < .001), whereas plantarflexion at final follow-up was significantly lower in the DCWMO group than in the OAT group (30.0 vs 24.0 degrees, P = .037). The DCWMO group reported more postoperative complications including postoperative joint stiffness, deformity, and pain recurrence. In the OAT group, one patient complained of mild knee pain. Conclusion: OAT seemed a better procedure for late-stage Freiberg disease compared with DCWMO in adult patients in terms of postoperative functional score and ROM, with lower complication rates. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation Versus Dorsal Closing Wedge Metatarsal Osteotomy for the Treatment of Freiberg Infraction in Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Study With 3-Year Follow-up

Background: Dorsiflexion closing wedge metatarsal osteotomy (DCWMO) has been considered the traditional treatment of Freiberg disease. Several case reports presented osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) as an alternative treatment. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to compare the results of DCWMO versus OAT for the treatment of Freiberg infraction in an athletic population. It was hypothesized that OAT was superior to DCWMO regarding functional outcomes, pain, and the time that the athletes returned to training and to previous sport level. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, 27 consecutive patients with Freiberg disease were randomly assigned to either the DCWMO group (14 patients) or the OAT group (13 patients). The primary outcomes collected were as follows: postoperative complications, range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint, length of the metatarsal, function of the foot (measured with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society–lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal [AOFAS-LMI] score), and pain (assessed with the visual analog scale–foot and ankle score). Results: Mean follow-up was 46 months (range, 36-60 months). The mean ± SD AOFAS-LMI score in the DCWMO group was 63.4 ± 14.4 preoperatively, 81.8 ± 6.6 at 1 year postoperatively, and 84.4 ± 5.6 at 3 years postoperatively, while in the OAT group, it was 62.8 ± 14, 89.9 ± 7.1, and 92 ± 6.9, respectively ( P < .001). The differences in the AOFAS-LMI scores favoring the OAT group at 1 and 3 years reached statistical but not clinical significance. The mean visual analog scale–foot and ankle score was improved significantly from 48.1 ± 11.5 to 91.8 ± 9.5 in the DCWMO group and from 49.9 ± 10.9 to 95.4 ± 4.4 in the OAT group. There was a shortening of the metatarsals by a mean 1.9 ± 0.5 mm in the DCWMO group, as opposed to a metatarsal lengthening of 0.2 ± 0.1 mm in the OAT group. In the OAT group, patients were able to start training at 6 ± 1 weeks ( P < .001) and return to full sport action at 10 ± 2.5 weeks ( P < .05), while in the DCWMO group, the time was 8 ± 1.5 and 13 ± 2.5 weeks, respectively. Conclusion: The authors concluded that OAT is equal to DCWMO. Acceptable clinical results were reported, as well as very low morbidity and early return to sport activities. That makes the OAT procedure a safe, effective, and optimal treatment for an athletic population experiencing Freiberg infraction.

Treatment of late-stage Freiberg disease using a double stemmed flexible silicone prosthesis

Category: Lesser Toes Introduction/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes using a double stemmed flexible silicone prosthesis for the treatment of Freiberg disease in its late stages. Methods: The subjects consisted of 13 feet from 13 cases suffering from Freiberg disease in their late stages. They underwent double stemmed flexible silicone prosthesis replacement for metatarsophalangeal joints. The average age was 63.8 (range 30~88) years. The average follow up period was 26 (range 18–42) months. The investigation was carried out using the range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS), AOFAS and Maryland metatarsophalangeal joints scale before surgery and at the latest follow-up. Results: The average ROM of dorsal flexion improved from 39.3±6.1° before surgery to 75.4±8.6° at latest follow-up (p<0.001). The average ROM of plantar flexion improved from 19.0±11.4° before surgery to 20.2±9.3° at latest follow-up (p=0.14). The average VAS significantly improved from 8.1±0.5 before surgery to 2.6±0.2 at latest follow-up (p<0.001). The average Maryland metatarsophalangeal joints score significantly improved from 65.3±9.3 points before surgery to 90.3±4.1 points at the latest follow-up (p<0.001). The average AOFAS was 89.4±8.5 after surgery compared 56.3±6.4 preoperatively (p<0.005). Conclusion: A flexible silicone prosthesis replacement was carried out to treat Freiberg disease in its late stages. The function was observed in all cases with improved clinical results. The silicone prosthesis was considered to be useful in certain cases.