Cortical screws versus absorbable pins for fixation of the short Z-bunionectomy.
Fifty-four Z-bunionectomies were performed on 43 patients. Twenty-nine osteotomies were fixated with Orthosorb pins, and 25 were fixated with a single 2.7-mm. cortical screw. Postoperative pain, edema, bone callus, and complications were evaluated for each fixation method. All patients were followed for more than 1 year. The incidence of metatarsal head dorsiflexion in screw fixated osteotomies was double that of Orthosorb. Radiographic evidence of pin tracts persisted beyond 1 year in about half the Orthosorb fixated osteotomies. The authors conclude that in properly selected patients, Orthosorb is as effective as a screw in fixating the osteotomy.
North Shore Podiatry Group, Deerfield, Illinois 60015.
G J
GJ
Friend
K S
KS
Grace
H A
HA
Stone
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001858:Bone Nails; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies