Endosseous Fixation Device for Lapidus Arthrodesis: Technique, Early Experience, and Comparison With Crossed Screw Fixation

Abstract

First metatarsal cuneiform joint arthrodesis has been commonly used since the early 1900s for definitive treatment of a variety of conditions involving the medial column of the foot. Early applications of this procedure resulted in a relatively high rate of complications, including malunion and nonunion. We retrospectively examined a novel method of fixation involving an endosseous implant with a nonporous, rough exterior surface and compared it with the traditional crossed screw fixation, considered the standard of care for the procedure. Twenty-one feet in 19 patients served as the control group with crossed screws, and 18 feet in 17 patients served as the trial group using the study device. Null hypothesis testing was used to compare the outcomes parameters between the comparative groups. Postoperatively, the patients were allowed to walk in a prefabricated, removable, below-the-knee cast boot at a mean of 48.3 ± 8.2 days in the control group and 24.4 ± 9.7 days in the trial group. These differences were highly significant (p < .0001). Postoperatively, the patients were allowed to walk in a stiff-soled shoe at a mean of 65.2 ± 8.4 days in the control group and 49.7 ± 19.2 days in the trial group. These differences were also statistically significant (p = .0020). The patients in the control group required revision surgery in 7 of 21 procedures (33%), with 2 patients developing nonunion (9.5%). Only 1 patient in the trial group required revision surgery (5.8%), and no patient developed nonunion. From these results, we believe that the endosseous trial implant is a reliable option for fixation of the first metatarsal cuneiform arthrodesis procedure and might allow for earlier weightbearing with fewer postoperative complications.