The floating first metatarsal: a case report

Complete dislocation of the first metatarsal represents an infrequent injury. The authors present the case of a 48-year-old man who sustained dislocation of the first metatarsal from both the metatarsophalangeal and tarsometatarsal joints in a motor vehicle accident. After open reduction, the first metatarsophalangeal joint was temporarily fixated with a Kirschner wire to maintain reduction, while the first metatarso-cuneiform joint was fixated with two cannulated screws. A discussion of the pertinent literature regarding this rare injury is also included.