A Patient-Reported Outcome-Based Comparison of Cheilectomy With and Without Proximal Phalangeal Dorsiflexion Osteotomy for Hallux Rigidus.

Introduction: This study provides the first comparison of patient-reported outcomes between isolated cheilectomy (C) and cheilectomy with Moberg (CM) osteotomy for hallux rigidus.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective registry search identified all patients with preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores who underwent cheilectomy, with and without concomitant proximal phalangeal dorsiflexion osteotomy, for hallux rigidus between January 2016 and December 2020. Because there were far fewer isolated cheilectomies (62), all C patients were compared with a commensurate number of consecutive CM cases (67) using preoperative, 1-year, and 2-year PROMIS scores for physical function, pain interference, pain intensity, global physical health, global mental health, and depression, as well as complication and revision data from a chart review. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to compare adjusted postoperative PROMIS scores between the 2 cohorts.

Results: There were no differences between groups among the demographic and preoperative variables compared. The CM cohort reported worse pain interference scores preoperatively (P < .001) and at 1 year postoperatively (P = .01). However, the C cohort reported worse pain intensity scores preoperatively (P < .001) and at 1 year postoperatively (P < .001). Adjusted postoperative PROMIS score comparison demonstrated that the CM cohort had better 1-year postoperative pain intensity scores (P < .05). However, there were no differences between cohorts for additional PROMIS scores or complications data.

Conclusion: The addition of a Moberg osteotomy does not appear to significantly change short- to medium-term outcomes of cheilectomy for hallux rigidus treatment.

Levels of evidence: Level III: Retrospective comparative study.