Determination of in vitro metatarsocuneiform pressure before and after surgical modification of the great toe.

In vitro contact pressures were measured at the first metatarsocuneiform joint in order to determine the effect of resectional arthroplasty and arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe. Eight fresh cadaver feet were loaded with the Instron machine to determine the pressure seen at the first metatarsocuneiform joint. The specimens were subsequently modified by performing either an arthrodesis of the great toe metatarsophalangeal joint or an arthroplasty of this joint by removal of the proximal one third of the proximal phalanx. A second test was then performed. Pressure-sensitive film was analyzed to determine maximum pressure and total transmitted force. No significant pressure change was seen after the arthrodesis. After the resection arthroplasty, there was a significant decrease in both the maximum pressure and the total force measured at the first metatarsocuneiform joint.