[The Sixtine metatarsophalangeal prosthesis at first glance. Preliminary results in 74 cases]

The Sixtine prosthesis is a metallic, hemiconical, flat concave, metatarsophalangeal interposition prosthesis, with a rim on the phalangeal end, with a lateral capsular fixation or a temporary fixation by axial pinning. Seventy-four cases using a Sixtine prosthesis were reviewed with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The range of motion was improved (+12.4 degrees), as was the phalangeal valgus (18.2 degrees for 30.2 degrees), but weight bearing on the ventral side of the first toe was very often lost in spite of the complete preservation of the flexor hallucis brevis. The complication rate was 9.5% with 8% subluxations, which do not influence the final result. The comparison of patients who kept the prosthesis, and of patients in whom the prosthesis was systematically retrieved after one year, shows that the prosthesis may be left in place and that retrieval is only indicated in cases of complications or subluxation.