METATARSAL LENGTHENING BY CALLOTASIS DURING THE GROWTH-PHASE

Congenital or acquired shortness of a metatarsal may cause pain in adj acent metatarsals. From 1983 to 1990, we performed nine metatarsal len gthenings in seven adolescent patients by metaphyseal osteotomy follow ed by gradual distraction of callus (callotasis). Two patients require d bone grafts after the lengthening. We used a rigid, unilateral exter nal fixator designed for use in the hand and foot. At follow-up, from three to ten years later, healing had been achieved in all with an ave rage healing index of 50 days/cm, and metatarsalgia had been relieved by the restoration of correct metatarsal length.