Dorsal Wedge Osteotomy Using Bioabsorbable Pins for the Treatment of Freiberg's Disease

중족골두 무혈성 괴사에서 생체흡수성 핀으로 고정한 배측 쐐기 절골술

Purpose: To present the procedure and results of dorsal wedge osteotomy fixated by bioabsorbable polyglycolide pins for the treatment of symptomatic Freiberg's disease. Materials and Methods: From January 1997 to December 2002, six patients with Freiberg's disease underwent dorsal wedge osteotomy of the metatarsal neck to bring the healthy plantar part of the metatarsal head into articulation. Bioabsorbable polyglycolide pins were used for the fixation and short-leg walking cast was applied for 4 weeks. Results: All patients returned to full daily activities without pain in three months after the operation. Radiographically, solid healing of the osteotomy was observed at average ten weeks. The active range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint increased by a mean gain of 30 degrees, and no complication such as displacement, osteolysis or sinus formation was observed. Conclusion: Dorsal wedge osteotomy fixated by bioabsorbable pins for patients with symptomatic Freiberg's disease is effective procedure that provides relatively early range of motion exercise and avoids second procedure for implant removal.