Two methods of internal fixation of oblique lesser metatarsal osteotom
ies were compared biomechanically using fresh-frozen human cadaver bon
es. Osteotomies were made obliquely through the metatarsal shafts and
fixed with either crossed Kirschner wires or a single AO screw using t
he lag technique. The specimens were then fixed at their proximal end
and loaded to failure using an axial torsion material testing system (
MTS, Minneapolis, MN). Load displacement curves were obtained and the
stiffness of the constructs was determined. Single-screw fixation was
found to be significantly stiffer than the crossed wire configuration
(P <.01). Single-screw fixation resulted in a stiffness of 211.2 +/- 1
11.7 N/cm (mean +/- SD), while stiffness of the crossed wire configura
tion averaged 56.9 +/- 25.1 N/cm.