拇外翻术后应用超趾石膏托与前足减压鞋维持矫形效果的对比.

BACKGROUND: Operative correction of hallux valgus is one of the most procedures in foot and ankle department, but postoperative plaster slab immobilization often brings great inconvenience and pain. Off-loading forefoot shoes can theoretically help them to do activities off bed early, and prevent loading on the forefoot during walking. But its advantages and disadvantages compared with plaster slab are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of over-the-toe plaster slab and off-loading forefoot shoes after hallux valgus correction. METHODS: Patients with hallux valgus undergoing distal Chevron osteotomy or Scarf osteotomy in the Huashan Hospital of Fudan University between May 2012 and October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Group A patients had a below-knee and over-the-toe plaster slab while Group B had an off-loading forefoot shoe applied after surgery. Radiological assessment was done at 6 weeks postoperatively. Immobilization was removed once bone union was indicated. Clinical scales and subjective satisfaction investigation were performed at final follow-up, and complications during follow-up were noted. All values between groups were analyzed statistically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totally 125 patients (157 feet) were completely followed up, including 83 patients (95 feet) in Group A and 42 patients (62 feet) in Group B. There was no significant difference in demographics, pre-and-post operative radiological assessments, clinical scale, union time or general satisfaction rates between two groups. However, Group B patients had less chance to suffer metatarsophalangeal joint or inter-phalangeal joint stiffness, restricted ankle motion and supra-ankle pains of operated side in comparison with Group A (P < 0.05), and were more willing to accept the same treatment if they could choose again (P < 0.05). Compared with the plaster slab, the application of off-loading shoes not only maintains correction level, but also reduces such complications as stiffness or restricted motion of the joint, limb pains and so on, which makes patients more likely to accept, and should be given priority to in the rehabilitation following hallux valgus correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]