Sesamoidectomy Utilizing a Medial Approach with a Bur: Patient Outcomes and Early Complications

CATEGORY: Midfoot/Forefoot; Sports INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Patients with pathology of the sesamoids can have significant pain and disability both with activities of daily living and high impact athletic movements. Sesamoidectomy is a widely used procedure for patients who fail conservative treatment measures. Traditional dorsal or plantar approaches for sesamoidectomy have shown to successfully alleviate pain but complications are noted, including hallux varus deformity, painful plantar incision, and clawing of the hallux. Additionally, the dorsal approach is technically difficult because of poor visualization, which can lead to unnecessary disruption of important plantar ligamentous structures. An alternative medial approach using a bur provides many advantages compared to traditional approaches. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing sesamoidectomy using a bur with a medial approach to the sesamoid metatarsal articulation. Data collected included patient demographics, radiographic analysis, and outcomes: Veterans Rand 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, and complications. RESULTS: In patients (10 feet) with an average age of 36.5 (range, 13-77) years were analyzed. Six patients underwent medial sesamoidectomy, three underwent lateral sesamoidectomy, and one patient underwent excision of both medial and lateral sesamoids using a bur. The average latest follow up was 11.9 months. Scores were improved from pre-operatively to most recent follow-up for VR-12 Physical (29.43 vs 53.86), FAAM ADL (48.8 vs 94.1 points), FAAM Sports (7.8 vs 87.4 points), and VAS (57.8 vs 8.6). Patient satisfaction with the treatment was 96.4%. There were zero complications or additional procedures performed. CONCLUSION: In this series, sesamoidectomy utilizing a medial approach with a bur provided excellent pain relief, zero complications, and significantly improved outcome scores at early follow up. The medial approach is familiar to orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons, provides adequate exposure, and eliminates the possibility of a painful plantar incision. Furthermore, this technique allows for maintenance of the plantar plate, flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) tendon, and all other ligamentous structures that attach to the sesamoids. Larger studies with longer term follow up are needed to further our knowledge on this surgical technique.