The surgical correction of metatarsal dysmetria

The authors report the results of surgical correction in 5 cases of metatarsal dysmetria; lengthening in 3 cases and shortening in 2 cases. Lengthening was achieved by gradual distraction without using grafts. External mini-fixators were used which could be either lengthened by a sliding mechanism for distraction or used in compression in the case of shortening. The maximum lengthening obtained was 32 mm, equal to 90% of the initial length.