Republication of “Preliminary Experience Using Bioactive Glass Wedges for Cotton Osteotomy”

BACKGROUND: Medial cuneiform dorsal opening wedge (Cotton) osteotomy is often used for treating forefoot varus in patients undergoing surgery for stage II posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction. The goal of this study was to examine the radiographic outcomes of Cotton osteotomy with bioactive glass wedge to assess for both maintenance of correction and clinical results and complications. We hypothesized that bioactive glass wedges would maintain correction of the osteotomy with low complication rates. METHODS: Between December 2015 and June 2016, the charts of 17 patients (10 female and 7 male) who underwent Cotton osteotomy using bioactive glass wedges were retrospectively reviewed. Patient age averaged 56.8 years (range, 16-84). The average follow-up was 6.5 months. Radiographs were reviewed to assess for initial correction and maintenance of correction of medial column sag as well as for union. Charts were reviewed for complications. RESULTS: The medial column sag correction averaged 15.6% on the final postoperative lateral radiograph. Meary angle averaged 19 degrees (3.14-42.8 degrees) preoperatively and 5.5 degrees (0.4-20.7 degrees) at final follow-up. All patients achieved clinical and radiographic union. One patient developed neuropathic midfoot pain and was managed with sympathetic blocks. One patient had a delayed union that healed at 6 months without surgical intervention. No patients required the use of custom orthotics or subsequent surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: Cotton osteotomy with bioactive glass wedges produced consistent correction of the medial column with low risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.