Total sesamoidectomy for painful hallux rigidus: a medium-term outcome study

The nature of the sesamoid complex in the development of hallux rigidus or limitus (HL) has been poorly characterized and the role of the sesamoids in the surgical management of this condition has not been explored. Previous surgical approaches in younger active patients unsuited to destructive procedures have been limited.

Thirty-three patients (36 procedures) were reviewed between 2 and 4 years following total sesamoidectomy for the management of hallux rigidus/limitus. The American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society hallux (AOFAS) clinical rating system was used to compare pre and postoperative scores. The range and quality of motion and transfer metatarsalgia were noted. The three most important patient problems and the degree to which these had been addressed by the surgery and the time to maximal improvement were noted.

No significant functional impairment or malalignment were found. There were no instances of pain on metatarsal compression, or of transfer metatarsalgia with or without callus formation. A highly statistically significant improvement in AOFAS scores was found (p < 0.001).

High levels of clinical improvement and patient satisfaction were found following total sesamoidectomy. No deleterious consequences of sesamoid removal were observed. For symptomatic patients where a joint replacement/fusion is not indicated, total sesamoidectomy was beneficial as an interim procedure, for joints with a moderate (grades 2 to 3) degree of arthrosis.