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.