Citation

Kinter CW, Kinter KJ, Hodgkins CW (2019) Surgical Repair of an Unstable Third Metatarsophalangeal Joint Dislocation via Direct Plantar Plate Repair: A Simple and Effective Technique. Int J Foot Ankle 3:030. doi.org/10.23937/2643-3885/1710030

Copyright

© 2019 Kinter CW, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

CASE REPORT | OPEN ACCESS DOI: 10.23937/ijfa-3-017/1710030

Surgical Repair of an Unstable Third Metatarsophalangeal Joint Dislocation via Direct Plantar Plate Repair: A Simple and Effective Technique

Christopher W Kinter, MD1,2*, Kevin J Kinter, MS2 and Christopher W Hodgkins, MD2,3

1Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, USA

2Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, USA

3Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, USA

Abstract

Traumatic dislocation of a lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is a rare case for a foot and ankle surgeon to encounter. These dislocations can be difficult to reduce due to the surrounding connective tissues that may be interposed in the joint space. These include the plantar plate, deep transverse metatarsal ligament, flexor tendons, and lumbricals. When the clinician is unable to reduce the phalanx, surgery is required to prevent sequelae such as further swelling, ecchymosis, joint damage, and impingement of the neurovascular bundle. In this case report, we present the case of a 53-year-old female who suffered a traumatic dislocation after a low-energy trip and fall injury. The MTP joint was found to be unstable, and therefore, we managed the dislocation through open reduction and direct repair of the plantar plate via a plantar approach. We feel the plantar plate repair makes our case unique as well as superior because it allows better visualization and obviates the need for further fixation with a K-wire.