Implant arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint: a 12-year retrospective study.

A study was conducted of the long-term results on Silastic implant arthroplasties of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in 88 feet. Silastic implants were evaluated on the basis of patient satisfaction, function, and radiographic findings. The period of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years, with an average follow-up of 6.3 years for hemi-joint implants and 2.1 years for total joint implants. The results showed that a majority of patients with hallux valgus and hallux limitus had good results with either hemi-implant or total implant. The most common complication found was hallux extensus.