Cone arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

An operation for arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint described previously has been performed on 85 toes in 68 patients over a 20-year period. The notes and X-rays have been reviewed to determine the incidence of bony fusion and to find out whether the operative position was maintained until union occurred. Arthrodesis was achieved in 83 (97.6 per cent) of the toes operated on. Where there had been no previous surgery to the metatarsophalangeal joint the incidence of bony union was 100 per cent. As determined by certain defined criteria there is a strong indication that the technique maintained the operative position until bony union occurred.