Functional and patient reported outcomes following lateral hallucal sesamoidectomy

Lateral hallucal sesamoidectomy is an infrequently performed procedure indicated for patients with sesamoid pathology failing conservative treatment. Concerns exists regarding patient satisfaction, plantar scar pain, hallux malalignment and metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) movement restriction following sesamoidectomy. This study aims to assess patient satisfaction after lateral hallucal sesamoidectomy via the plantar approach.

In this retropective study with prospective follow-up, all patients who underwent lateral hallucal sesamoidectomy between January 2004 and December 2017 were reviewed. Twelve patients (14ft.) were available for final assessment. Outcome measures were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) clinical rating scale and the Self-Reported Foot and Ankle questionnaire (SEFAS). Patients were assessed clinically and radiologically. The average postoperative follow-up was 111.5 months (range 28-177 months).

All patients reported excellent outcome scores with a mean SEFAS score of 46.08 (range 43-48) and a mean AOFAS score of 92.33 (range 78-100) at final follow-up. All twelve patients reported their outcome as being excellent. No malalignment was noted clinically, however, three patients had a noticeable increase in the gap between the hallux and second toe when compared to the contralateral side. Range of motion at the MTPJ was preserved with a mean dorsiflexion of 80.83° (range 70-90°) and a mean plantarflexion was 25.83° (range 0-30°). None of the patients experienced any pain, discomfort or irritation related to the plantar scar. One patient developed neuroma like symptoms in the first web space.

Lateral hallucal sesamoidectomy via a plantar approach is an effective and reliable treatment option as demonstrated by the high levels of patient satisfaction, preservation of function, excellent PROM scores and limited complications in this study.

Level 4.