Arthroscopic Interpositional Arthroplasty of the Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint

Painful degenerative diseases of the second metatarsophalangeal joint are frequently progressive and difficult to treat. Surgical options for the degenerated second metatarsophalangeal joint include joint debridement and synovectomy, drilling and microfracture, core decompression, dorsal closing-wedge metatarsal osteotomies, joint arthroplasty (implant or interpositional), elevation of the depressed articular fragment and bone graft, distraction arthroplasty, osteochondral plug transplantation, osteochondral distal metatarsal allograft reconstruction, and resection arthroplasty (phalangeal base or metatarsal head). This technical note describes the arthroscopic approach of interpositional arthroplasty of the second metatarsophalangeal joint using the extensor digitorum brevis tendon. It is indicated in adult patients with extensive involvement of the metatarsal head cartilage, especially when cartilage degeneration of the proximal phalanx is also present. It is contraindicated if there is significant bone loss of the metatarsal head or the extensor digitorum brevis tendon is flimsy.