Osteochondral autograft transfer of the first metatarsal head: a case report

A case of an osteochondral autograft transfer performed at the head of the first metatarsal for an acute incidence of traumatic osteochondritis dissecans was presented. The donor site for the osteochondral graft was from the medial and plantar aspect of the talar head, which was found to be composed entirely of articular hyaline cartilage, yet was not part of the functional talonavicular articulation. Six months postoperatively, the graft was well seated at the head of the first metatarsal, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, and the graft donor site was asymptomatic. At 12 months' follow-up, the patient had a functional metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion. Details from the case study as well as a review of the literature are presented.