Crossed screws versus dorsomedial locking plate with compression screw for first metatarsocuneiform arthrodesis: a...

We hypothesized that a dorsomedial locking plate with adjunct screw compression would provide superior rigidity compared to crossed screws for first metatarsocuneiform (MTC) arthrodesis.

In ten matched lower extremity pairs, specimens in each pair were randomly assigned to receive screw fixation or plate with screw fixation. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured. For the crossed-screw construct, two 4.0-mm cannulated screws were used. One screw was inserted dorsal to plantar beginning from the first metatarsal 10 to 15 mm distal to the joint, and the second was inserted from the cuneiform 8 to10 mm proximal to the joint, medial to the first screw, into the first metatarsal. For the plate construct, a 4.0-mm cannulated compression screw was inserted from the dorsal cortex of the first metatarsal to the plantar aspect of the medial cuneiform. A locking plate was inserted dorsomedially across the MTC joint. Specimens were loaded in four-point bend configuration (displacement rate, 5 mm/min) until failure of the fixation or 3-mm deformation. An extensometer was used to measure deformation.

There was no difference in load to failure or stiffness between the two groups. BMD was positively correlated with load to failure in the screw (r = 0.893, p = 0.001) and the plate (r = 0.858, p = 0.001) construct.

The plate construct with compression screw did not show different rigidity as compared with the screw construct with the numbers available.

Further investigation of a dorsomedial plate with adjunct screw compression may be warranted for first MTC arthrodesis.