Short-Term Clinical Outcome of Hemiarthroplasty Versus Arthrodesis for End-Stage Hallux Rigidus

Few data are available to compare the outcomes of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis. We included 46 patients who had undergone BioPro(®) first MTPJ hemiarthroplasty and 132 who had undergone arthrodesis, with a minimum follow-up duration of 12 months. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction, which was determined using binominal questions. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, Foot Function Index, and Numerical Rating Scale for pain and limitations questionnaires were also used. The secondary outcome was treatment failure. No differences were found in the satisfaction rate (p = .54) after a median period of 38.4 (range 12 to 96) months and 39.8 (range 12 to 96) months in the hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis patients, respectively. Furthermore, no differences were found in the failure rates (p = .93) or the interval to failure (p = .32).The results of the present study showed no significant differences in the short-term clinical outcomes and failure rates for BioPro(®) first MTPJ hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis. Prospective comparative studies are required to determine whether BioPro(®) first MTPJ hemiarthroplasty is a good alternative for first MTPJ arthrodesis in the long term.