NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — Hybrid plating for midfoot arthrodesis offers a high union rate, according to a review.
About three-fourths of patients (76%) had radiographic union by 9 weeks. An additional 15% had union by 12 weeks, and 4% had union by 16 weeks. Only four patients did not achieve union, Dr. Jorge Filippi Nussbaum reported. Most patients (82%) had no complications. In all, 5% of patients had wound dehiscence, 5% had neuropraxia, 2.5% had hardware irritation, 4% had screw breakage, and 2.5% had tendon adhesion, said Dr. Nussbaum.
The researchers conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of patients who had undergone multijoint tarsometatarsal fusion. This technique was used in 78 patients: 60% with primary osteoarthritis, 21% with posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and the remainder with instability and OA, nonunion, Paget's disease, or metatarsus adductus. A plate—flat or curved, depending on the dorsal surface—was aligned, and locking and compression screws were placed, said Dr. Nussbaum, an orthopedic surgeon at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago.
Disclosures: Dr. Nussbaum reported that he has no relevant financial relationships.