Evaluation of results after distal metatarsal osteotomy by minimal invasive surgery for the treatment of metatarsalgia: patient and anatomical pieces study

BACKGROUND: Metatarsalgia of the lesser toes is a common cause of consultation in the podiatric clinic. However, there continues to be a controversy with respect to which is the best surgical technique, and there is few information in the literature regarding objectively comparable results in percutaneous surgery. METHODS: The second metatarsal bones of 30 feet belonging to patients who had attended the podiatric clinic were studied before and after distal metatarsal pecutaneous osteotomy. The degree of shortening of the second metatarsal (RX) and the degree of functional recovery and perception of the well-being of the patient (AOFAS) were evaluated retrospectively. The same bones of 10 cadaveric feet were also studied. The surgical procedure was identical to that used on patients, and electronic callipers were employed to take measurements of the second metatarsal. The integrity of the plantar plate was checked visually. RESULTS: The mean shortening of the second metatarsal bone, as determined by the radiological study, was 2.76 mm. After an average follow-up period of 1.5 years, the final mean score on the AOFAS scale was 95.26 points. In none of the cases was the mobility of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint affected. The mean shortening in the cadaveric feet was 2.10 mm, and in all cases, the plantar plate and flexor apparatus were perfectly preserved. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous osteotomy achieved, in our study, a lower degree of shortening than Weil’s surgery, according to the data published in the literature. However, it shows good clinical results without causing problems of consolidation or rigidity in the MTP joint. Neither, with the caution that should be taken due to the use of experimental cadaver models, damage of the flexor apparatus of the foot is observed. These results suggest that this could be a safe and effective surgical procedure to be considered for metatarsalgias of the lesser rays.