Case Report
Does Proximal Metatarsal Osteotomy Need Internal Fixation? A Case Report
| Martinelli N1*, Diaz Balzani L2, Bonifacini C1 and Malerba F1 | |
| 1Department of Ankle and Foot Surgery, IRCCS Galeazzi, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20100 Milan, Italy | |
| 2Department of Orthopedics, University Campus Biomedico of Rome, Italy | |
| Corresponding Author : | Nicolò Martinelli Department of Ankle and Foot Surgery IRCCS Galeazzi Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20100 Milan, Italy Tel: 003902662149 E-mail: n.martinelli@unicampus.it |
| Received: January 07, 2016 Accepted: January 27, 2016 Published: January 31, 2016 | |
| Citation: Martinelli N, Diaz Balzani L, Bonifacini C, Malerba F (2016) Does Proximal Metatarsal Osteotomy Need Internal Fixation? A Case Report. Clin Res Foot Ankle 4:178. doi:10.4172/2329-910X.1000178 | |
| Copyright: © 2016 Martinelli N, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | |
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Abstract
Internal fixation for proximal metatarsal osteotomies is generally not required, since many authors state that weight bearing may promote fusion of the metatarsal segments in the correct position. This study reports a case of a 54 years old woman affected by metatarsalgia who was treated surgically with a proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Radiographies showed a non-union of the metatarsal osteotomy and MRI, bone scintigraphy and blood tests excluded infection. Surgical treatment consisted in debridement of fibrous non-union, bone grafting and plate and screw fixation. The plate was removed 12 months after the surgery because of soft tissue irritation and hardware prominence. At the last follow-up, the patient was pain free and resumed her daily activities. In general, proximal osteotomies are safe procedures for the treatment of metatarsalgia. Although fixation is a controversial topic, it should be reconsidered in order to avoid nonunion.
