Comparison of Radiographic Measurements Before and After Triplane Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis for Hallux Valgus

Abstract

We present a comparison of preoperative and final postoperative first ray measurements in 109 feet after triplane tarsometatarsal arthrodesis at a mean follow-up time of 17.4 months. Preoperative and final postoperative first ray variables including intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), tibial sesamoid position (TSP), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), Seiberg index, metatarsal rotation angle (MRA), sesamoid subluxation, osseous union, and hardware failure were evaluated. Measurements were made by consistently using the mid-diaphyseal line of the bone segments for both preoperative and postoperative assessments. The mean preoperative HVA, IMA, and TSP were 22.9°, 13.3°, and 4.6. The mean differences (95% confidence interval) in preoperative and postoperative values were –14.9° (–16.3° to –13.4°) for HVA, –7.7° (–8.2° to –7.2°) for IMA, and –2.6 (–2.8 to –2.3) for TSP. Among bunions with MRA measurements, the mean difference was –12.3° (–14.5° to –10.0°). The preoperative to postoperative DMAA decreased by a mean of –14.2° (–15.9° to –12.6°). The results of this study suggest that triplane tarsometatarsal arthrodesis produces appropriate correction of hallux valgus radiographic parameters.