Radiographic Evidence of Sufficient Transverse Plane Alignment after Weil Osteotomy without Screw Fixation

Abstract

Weil osteotomy is a proven procedure to restore the harmonic distal parabola of the forefoot. In addition to the proximal displacement of the head in the sagittal plane, a displacement in the transverse plane may be necessary, with the refixation of the displaced metatarsal head historically performed by screw fixation. We aimed to determine the radiological differences among 136 feet of 127 patients with 256 Weil osteotomies retrospectively enrolled and divided into groups with (n = 182) and without (n = 74) screw fixation. Demographic data, radiographic union, pre- and postoperative metatarsal angles, and differences in the dorsoplantar view were evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 3.6 months. The mean preoperative metatarsophalangeal angle was 9.24°, and the mean postoperative angle was 12.99°. The restoration of the transversal alignment plane was equally successful in both groups, with a mean extent of angle correction of 10.58°. No nonunions of the osteotomized metatarsals were observed. The radiographic comparisons revealed no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). However, visibility of the joint space of the metatarsophalangeal joint was achieved significantly more often in the group without screw fixation (p < 0.05). In the absence of bony malunion and the satisfactory restoration of a harmonious parabola of the forefoot, apparently there does not appear to be a necessity for regular screw fixation after Weil osteotomy based on the available data from the present study.