Background: Tarsometatarsal (TMT) arthrodesis is a common operative procedure for end-stage arthritis of the TMT joints. To date, there is no consensus on the best fixation technique for TMT arthrodesis and which joints should be included.
Methods: Thirty fresh-frozen feet were divided into one group (15 feet) in which TMT joints I-III were fused with a lag screw and locking plate and a second group (15 feet) in which TMT joints I-III were fused with 2 crossing lag screws. The arthrodesis was performed stepwise with evaluation of mobility between the metatarsal and cuneiform bones after every application or removal of a lag screw or locking plate.
Results: Isolated lag-screw arthrodesis of the TMT I-III joints led to significantly increased stability in every joint (P < .05). Additional application of a locking plate caused further stability in every TMT joint (P < .05). An additional crossed lag screw did not significantly increase rigidity of the TMT II and III joints (P > .05). An IM screw did not influence the stability of the fused TMT joints. For TMT III arthrodesis, lag-screw and locking plate constructs were superior to crossed lag-screw fixation (P < .05). TMT I fusion does not support stability after TMT II and III arthrodesis.
Conclusion: Each fixation technique provided sufficient stabilization of the TMT joints. Use of a lag screw plus locking plate might be superior to crossed screw fixation. An additional TMT I and/or III arthrodesis did not increase stability of an isolated TMT II arthrodesis.
Clinical relevance: We report the first biomechanical evaluation of TMT I-III arthrodesis. Our results may help surgeons to choose among osteosynthesis techniques and which joints to include in performing arthrodesis of TMT I-III joints.
Keywords: Lisfranc; locking plate; tarsometatarsal arthritis; tarsometatarsal arthrodesis fusion.