With improvements in biomaterials and design, implant arthroplasty is becoming a useful option for treatment of disorders of the hallux.
Forty-eight patients (53 implants) who had Bio-Action great toe implants (Osteomed, Addison, TX) for symptomatic advanced degenerative changes in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint have been followed prospectively since August of 1998. We reviewed the functional results of 32 patients (36 implants) at a minimum followup of 36 (range 36 to 69, mean 47) months. The scoring system designed by Kitaoka etal. was used to assess the functional results. Patient satisfaction, length of hospital stay, time to return to routine activities, footwear problems, radiographic appearances, and complications also were studied.
With the numbers available, there was significant improvement in the range of motion achieved and hallux MTP scale after the operation. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.87) between patient satisfaction and the hallux MTP scale. However, there was no correlation between patient age and patient satisfaction or hallux MTP scale. Seventy-seven percent of patients considered the result of the operation to be good or excellent.
Overall, the 5-year functional results of this total joint system appeared to be satisfactory.