Early results of HemiCAP® resurfacing implant

Objective: Metallic implants in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint have been used for many years in the treatment of hallux rigidus (HR). The HemiCAP® prosthesis is the first implant used for resurfacing the metatarsal head in HR treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the early results of the HemiCAP® prosthesis for the treatment of HR.Methods: A total of 27 toes of 25 patients with MTP arthritis of the great toe were treated with an Arthrosurface®HemiCAP® resurfacing implant. The average follow-up time was 37.6 (range: 30 to 43) months. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Postoperative satisfaction and function were scored according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.Pain was assessed with the use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating the absence of pain and 10 describing the worst pain imaginable.Results: Mean preoperative AOFAS score improved from 40.94 (range: 25 to 63) to 85.1 (range: 54 to 98) at the final follow-up (p 0.0001). Preoperative average VAS pain scores improved from 8.30 preoperatively to 2.05 at the final follow-up (p 0.0001). The average MTP joint range of motion (ROM) the improved from 14.36 degrees preoperatively to 54.38 degrees at the final follow-up. No radiologic loosening or osteolysis was observed in patients with HemiCAP® implant.Conclusion: The early results of the HemiCAP® implant on the metatarsal head are promising.However, studies over a longer period involving more patients would be beneficial in terms of defining and reviewing the stability of the implant and any innovations in the treatment strategy for HR.