An audit of Keller arthroplasty and metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis from national data

Chronic interphalangeal ulcerations of the great toe are a frequent complication in neuropathic diabetic feet. While total contact casting is usually effective as a first-line treatment, some ulcers continue and present substantial management challenges. The objective of this study was to examine the National Hospital Discharge Survey in order to identify links between preexisting medical conditions and lower extremity pathology in patients undergoing a Keller arthroplasty. Those who received a Keller arthroplasty were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 4.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.73-4.30, P = .0001), diabetic neuropathy (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 3.48-4.15, P = .0001), coronary artery disease (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.57-2.03), or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.49-2.84, P = .0001). Keller arthroplasty patients were less likely to have a foot abscess (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.39-0.50, P = .0001) or hammer toe deformity (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.57-0.63, P = .0001), but more likely to have a foot wound or ulcer (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 2.44-2.82, P = .0001), bunions (OR = 4.52, 95% CI: 4.26-4.80, P = .0001), and osteomyelitis (OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 2.41-2.92, P = .0001). Hallux limitus or rigidus in a diabetic patient with neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and poor healing subjects this patient to a higher risk of ulceration, infection, and amputation. This study shows that this procedure is being performed in the diabetic population with attendant complications.