Minimally Invasive Cheilectomy for Hallux Rigidus.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Foot and Ankle Surgery

Background:

• Hallux metatarsophalangeal joint cheilectomy is a joint-preserving procedure.
• Osteophyte resection addresses dorsal impingement and footwear irritation in hallux rigidus.
• Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and arthroscopic techniques are increasingly utilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of minimally invasive cheilectomy for hallux rigidus.
• To compare MIS cheilectomy with traditional open techniques.
• To identify the indications and theoretical benefits of MIS cheilectomy.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on minimally invasive and open hallux rigidus cheilectomy.
• Analysis of patient outcomes, including cosmesis, wound complications, and recovery time.
• Focus on mild-to-moderate hallux rigidus (Grades I-II) with dorsal osteophytes.

Main Results:

• MIS cheilectomy is indicated for symptomatic hallux rigidus (Grades I-II) unresponsive to nonoperative management.
• Outcomes of MIS cheilectomy are generally equivalent to open cheilectomy.
• Theoretical benefits include improved cosmesis, fewer wound complications, and faster recovery.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive cheilectomy is a viable joint-sparing option for specific hallux rigidus cases.
• While outcomes are comparable to open surgery, further research may clarify superiority.
• MIS offers potential advantages in patient recovery and aesthetic results.