Metatarsal lengthening by callus distraction for brachymetatarsia

Twelve metatarsal lengthening procedures by callus distraction were performed in seven patients with brachymetatarsia. The mean age at the time of the surgery was 12.0 years (range, 11.1-14.5 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 5.2 years (range, 1.2-13.5 years). The bones were lengthened at a rate of 0.7 mm/day by a mean of 20 mm (range, 15-30 mm), which was 45% of their original length (range, 37-61%). The mean healing index was 73 days/cm (range, 41-98 days/cm). Corrective shortening osteotomy was performed in one case in which the metatarsophalangeal joint was dislocated due to excessive lengthening. In 10 of the remaining 11 cases, joint stiffness, narrowing of the joint space and some degree of plantar subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal joint were observed during distraction, but these were gradually resolved without either elongation of the tendon or metatarsophalangeal joint fixation with Kirschner wire.