Objective To explore the operative methods and the short-term effectiveness to repair chronic tears of the 2nd plantar plate. Methods Between June 2012 and June 2013, 14 patients with chronic tears of the 2nd plantar plate were treated. There were 4 males and 10 females with an average age of 65.9 years (range, 51-82 years) and with an average disease duration of 6.2 years (range, 5-9 years). The left side was involved in 5 cases and the right side in 9 cases. One patient had simple hammer toe; 2 patients had hallux valgus and claw toe; and 11 patients had hallux valgus and hammer toes. All of them had unstable the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joints. The results of modified Lachman test and drawer test were positive. The surgical treatment included a Weil osteotomy and plantar plate repair operation for rupture via dorsal incision after correcting hallux valgus. Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. Twelve patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8.2 months). Hallux valgus, claw toe, and hammer toe were all corrected. The results of modified Lachman test and drawer test were negative at 3 months after operation. Mild pain of the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint occurred, but no stiff was observed in 2 cases at 6 months after operation. The midfoot and forefoot score of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was 90.50 ± 3.73 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher (t=21.724, P=0.000) than preoperative score (57.33 ± 4.99). Conclusion The plantar plate is the key to maintain the stability of the metatarsophalangeal joints, and surgical repair can achieve good short-term effectiveness in treating chronic tears of the 2nd plantar plate.
Objective To investigate the surgical method and effectiveness of repairing traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint defect by the composite tissue flap autograft of the second metatarsophalangeal joint. Methods Between June 2005 and December 2009, 6 cases (6 fingers) of traumatic metacarpophalangeal joint defect were treated with the composite tissue flap autograft of second metatarsophalangeal joint (containing extensor tendon, flexor tendon, proper digital nerve, planta or dorsal flap). All patients were males, aged 18-48 years, including 3 cases of mechanical injury, 2 cases of crush injury, and 1 case of penetrating trauma. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metacarpophalangeal joints were involved in defects in 2 cases, repectively, and defects ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.5 cm in size. All patients had skin and soft tissue defects, and defects ranged from 4 cm × 2 cm to 5 cm × 4 cm in size; and 5 cases complicated by extensor tendon defect (2.5-5.0 cm in length), 3 cases by flexor tendon rupture, and 3 cases by common palmar digital nerve injury. The time from injury to admission was 2-6 hours. Results The composite tissue flaps and skin grafts survived in all cases. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 1-5 years. The X-ray films showed good healing between the transplanted metatarsophalangeal joint and metacarpals and phalanges at 9-14 weeks postoperatively. The appearance, colour, and texture of the skin flap were satisfactory, and the senses of pain and touch were recovered. The palmar flexion range of transplanted metacarpophalangeal joints was 50-70°, and the dorsal extension range was 5-10° at last follow-up. According to the functional assessment criteria of upper limb formulated by the Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 1 case, and fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate of 83.3%. No dysfunction of the donor foot was observed. Conclusion The metatarsophalangeal joint composite tissue flap can provide bone, nerve, skin, muscles, and tendons, so it is an effective approach to repair the metacarpophalangeal joint defect and to recover the function of the injured joints in one operation.
Objective To explore the effect of the collateral ligaments and the plantar plate on the flexion of the metatarsophalangeal(MP) joints. Methods Twenty-four preserved human No.2-4 digits were obtained from embalmed cadaver feet, which were divided into 2 groups at random. In group A, the bilateral collateral ligaments were cut first, and then the plantar plate was sectioned. They were cut inopposite sequence in group B. Angle of the flexion of MP joint was observed in the same load after the bilateral collateral ligaments and the plantar plate were sectioned in different sequence.From 1994 to 2000,11 cases were used with this technic, including plantar section in 2 cases and both plantar section and bilateral collateral ligamentscut in 9 cases. Results The angle of flexion of the MP joint before operation in group A is 37.30±5.42°, it increased 11.29±2.36° and to 48.60±2.98° when the bilateral collateral ligaments were cut, and there was significant difference. Later the cut of the plantar plate increased another 5.30±1.59° and to 53.35±2.76°. Both have an increasing trend for the angle of flexion of the MP joint (Plt;0.01). While in group B, the angle of flexion of the MP joint before operation is 34.59±5.32°, it increased 6.29±2.98° and to 40.89±2.36° when the plantar plate were cut, laterthe cut of the bilateral collateral ligaments increased another 9.71±1.94° and to 50.60±2.01°. Both had an increasing trend for the angle of flexion ofthe MP joint (Plt;0.01). The bilateral collateral ligaments had more influence than the plantar plate (Plt;0.01). There was the same effect in different sequence (Pgt;0.05). In 2 cases with plantar section, the flexion angle of MP joint could achieve 15° to 45° in 2 monthes. The other 9 cases with both plantar section and bilateral collateral ligaments cut, the MP joint flexion achieved 10.3° to 58.4° in 26.3 months. Conclusion The flexion angle of the MP joint can be increasedby cutting the bilateral collateral ligaments and the plantar plate.