Long-Term Outcomes and Alignment following Isolated Fibular Sesamoidectomy

CATEGORY: Bunion, Midfoot/Forefoot, Sesamoid INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Potential etiologies of sesamoid related pain include repetitive stresses, fracture, cartilage lesions, arthrosis, and/or osteonecrosis. When patients fail to respond to conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be indicated in the form of sesamoid bone grafting, shaving/debridement, and/or sesamoid excision. Minimal published literature exists regarding the long-term safety and efficacy of fibular sesamoidectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients following isolated, complete fibular sesamoidectomy for long-term pain relief, functional outcome, and changes in hallux alignment. METHODS: A query of a tertiary referral center administrative database was performed using the CPT code 28135 for sesamoidectomy between 10/1/2005 and 9/1/2016. Patients who underwent an isolated fibular sesamoidectomy were identified and contacted by their treating physicians with a recruitment letter, phone call, or e-mail to return for an office visit. The primary outcome measure was preoperative to final postoperative change in ten-point visual analog scale pain score. Secondary measures included satisfaction, hallux flexion strength, change in hallux alignment, and final post-operative functional outcome scores. Patients who met the 2-year clinical or radiographic follow-up minimum were included. Patients who underwent concomitant joint realignment procedures or had a medical history of either diabetes or peripheral neuropathy were excluded. RESULTS: Ninety-three fibular sesamoidectomies were identified. Thirty-six sesamoidectomies (35 patients) met inclusion criteria (median follow-up 60 months). The average patient was 36-years-old with a BMI of 24.7 kg/m2 and underwent sesamoidectomy a mean 1.1 years after initial diagnosis. Median VAS scores improved 5 (6 to 1) points at final follow-up (p<0.0001). Final post- operative hallux valgus angle (HVA) did not differ from pre-operative values (10.5°/8.5°, p=0.12); similarly, intermetatarsal angle (IMA) did not differ (8.0°/7.9°, p=0.53). 88% of patients would have surgery again and 70% were “very satisfied” with their result. Hallux flexion strength (mean 14.7 pounds) did not differ following sesamoidectomy relative to the contralateral foot (mean 16.1 pounds) (p=0.23). Among the full 93 case cohort, 3 patients underwent 4 known reoperations. CONCLUSION: Fibular sesamoidectomy effectively provides long-term pain relief for patients with sesamoiditis, fracture, nonunion, osteonecrosis, and arthritis at long-term follow-up (median 5 years). Potential long-term sequelae, including hallux flexion weakness, change in hallux alignment, and deterioration of patient satisfaction/function were not encountered.