[Use of grommet for Swanson flexible hinge toe implant arthroplasty for hallux valgus deformity of rheumatoid arthritis].
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the results of arthroplasty of the great toe with hallux valgus in rheumatoid patients, using a Swanson flexible hinge toe implant protected by grommet.


METHODS
Sixteen patients (26 feet) with rheumatoid arthritis were operated on from 1996 to 1999. (fifteen women, one man). The average age was 59.8 years (range, 48-73 years). The average follow-up period was 3.0 years (range, 1.0-4.5 years). In each patient, the hallux valgus angle (HVA) was measured before and after surgery, and implant breakage and radiolucency around the implant were evaluated on radiographs.


RESULTS
Average HVA was 47.7 degrees preoperatively and 19.3 degrees postoperatively. No implant breakage was observed in 76.9% of the feet. Radiolucency of more than 2 mm was observed in only 3.8% of the feet.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that arthroplasty using a Swanson flexible hinge toe implant with a grommet is useful for treatment of hallux valgus in rheumatoid patients.
Furikado
Kazutoshi
K
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe-city.
Fujioka
Hiroyuki
H
Doita
Minoru
M
Saura
Ryuichi
R
Ishikawa
Hitoshi
H
Kurosaka
Masahiro
M
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D014033:Toe Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012826:Silicone Elastomers