PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM THE METIS-NEWDEAL(®) TOTAL METATARSOPHALANGEAL PROSTHESIS

Objective: To evaluate the preliminary results from the METIS-Newdeal(®) metatarsophalangeal prosthesis for treating hallux rigidus grade III/IV. Methods: This was a prospective study on eight metatarsophalangeal prostheses that were placed in six patients between November 2007 and July 2009. The patients' mean age was 55 years and the mean follow-up after the surgery was 50 weeks. The results were evaluated using the AOFAS-MTP score and x-ray images as controls. Results: The AOFAS-MTP score increased significantly from 42p before the surgery to 82p after the surgery (↑ 1.95x), mainly due to improvement in the functional level. No intercurrences were identified radiologically. Among the five patients who underwent operations, only one expressed dissatisfaction with the surgery: this was expressed after early infection appeared at the surgical site, and it was the only postoperative complication found. Conclusion: Total metatarsophalangeal arthroplasty using METIS-Newdeal(®) presented promising short-term results. However, evaluations on a larger number of cases with a longer follow-up are needed in order to draw more consistent conclusions.