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Biomechanical analysis of two fixation methods for proximal chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal

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Abstract

Purpose

The proximal chevron osteotomy provides high correctional power. However, relatively high rates of dorsiflexion malunion of up to 17 % are reported for this procedure. This leads to insufficient weight bearing of the first ray and therefore to metatarsalgia. Recent biomechanical and clinical studies pointed out the importance of rigid fixation of proximal metatarsal osteotomies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare biomechanical properties of fixation of proximal chevron osteotomies with variable locking plate and cancellous screw respectively.

Methods

Ten matched pairs of human fresh frozen cadaveric first metatarsals underwent proximal chevron osteotomy with either variable locking plate or cancellous screw fixation after obtaining bone mineral density. Biomechanical testing included repetitive plantar to dorsal loading from 0 to 31 N with the 858 Mini Bionix® (MTS® Systems Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA). Dorsal angulation of the distal fragment was recorded.

Results

The variable locking plate construct reveals statistically superior results in terms of bending stiffness and dorsal angulation compared to the cancellous screw construct. There was a statistically significant correlation between bone mineral density and maximum tolerated load until construct failure occurred for the screw construct (r = 0.640, p = 0.406).

Conclusion

The results of the present study indicate that variable locking plate fixation shows superior biomechanical results to cancellous screw fixation for proximal chevron osteotomy. Additionally, screw construct failure was related to levels of low bone mineral density. Based on the results of the present study we recommend variable locking plate fixation for proximal chevron osteotomy, especially in osteoporotic bone.

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Funding

Implants were provided by Königsee Implantate GmbH, which did not assume a role in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Reinhard Schuh, Jochen Gerhard Hofstaetter, Emir Benca, Madeleine Willegger, Gobert von Skrbensky, Axel Wanivenhaus, Johannes Holinka & Reinhard Windhager

  2. Department of Radiology, Hanusch Krankenhaus, Heinrich-Collin-Strasse 20, 1140, Vienna, Austria

    Shahin Zandieh

Authors
  1. Reinhard Schuh
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  2. Jochen Gerhard Hofstaetter
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  3. Emir Benca
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  4. Madeleine Willegger
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  5. Gobert von Skrbensky
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  6. Shahin Zandieh
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  7. Axel Wanivenhaus
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  8. Johannes Holinka
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  9. Reinhard Windhager
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Reinhard Schuh.

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Schuh, R., Hofstaetter, J.G., Benca, E. et al. Biomechanical analysis of two fixation methods for proximal chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 38, 983–989 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2286-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2286-1

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