OSTEOLYTIC CHANGES AFTER POLYGLYCOLIDE PIN FIXATION IN CHEVRON OSTEOTOMY

Absorbable polyglycolide pins were used for fixation of 94 chevron ost eotomies in 70 patients at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumato logy, Helsinki University Central Hospital, between 1986 and 1992. Pos toperative osteolytic changes around the degrading pin occurred in 21 of 94 (22%) metatarsal heads. In 17 of 21 metatarsal heads, polydioxan one-coated polyglycolide pins were used, This type of pin has not been used since 1988. At follow-up, 16 of 21 osteolytic changes resolved c ompletely and four partially resolved. In the remaining one, the osteo lytic area remained visible after 6 years. Cystic changes in the metat arsal head, not attributable to the location of the absorbable implant s, occurred in seven (7.4%) metatarsal heads and avascular necrosis of the entire metatarsal head in one (1.1%). Foreign body reaction occur red in six (6.3%) metatarsal heads and wound infection in three (3.2%) metatarsal heads. No association was observed between osteolytic chan ges and foreign body reaction or infection, Osteolysis in patients rec eiving polyglycolide implants only require observation, because associ ated symptoms with the radiographic findings are transient.