title: Treatment of brachymetatarsia using a semicircular lengthener. 1-3 years results in 6 patients.
abstract: 6 women with brachymetatarsia involving 9 bones were treated by the use of the Ilizarov semicircular lengthener. The affected bones were the second, third and fourth metatarsals. Ilizarov half-rings were applied on the foot with 5 or 6 half-pins (3 mm in diameter) and a percutaneous osteotomy was done. The short metatarsals were lengthened 0.25 mm twice a day by the patient. The lengthened distance was 15 (10-22) mm and the overall treatment time was 15 (12-25) weeks. The postoperative course was uneventful, with smooth bone regeneration. No bone-grafting was needed. During treatment, the patients could bear full weight and tolerated the fixators well. We conclude that this technique is useful in the treatment of brachymetatarsia.
authors.affiliation: Osaka Red Cross Hospital for Pediatric Orthopedics and Handicapped Children, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matoh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohba
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005532:Foot Deformities, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008684:Metatarsus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography