STABILITY OF ABSORBABLE FIXATION IN BASILAR FIRST METATARSAL OSTEOTOMIES

The purpose of this study was to compare the structural characteristic s of 2.0-mm polyglycolic acid pins and 2.0-mm Steinmann pins in obliqu e closing base wedge osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone commonly used to correct metatarsus primus varus. Six pairs of fresh frozen ca daveric first metatarsal bones were osteotomized, fixated with either absorbable or stainless steel 2.0-mm pins, cemented in a specimen-hold ing jig, and tested with the Bionix Material Testing System(R)(1). The re was no significant difference in the mean ultimate force, ultimate displacement, or structural stiffness when comparing 2.0-mm polyglycol ic acid pins and Steinmann pins in this model. The structural characte ristics of 2.0-mm absorbable pins were the same as stainless steel pin s at the time of initial placement in the oblique closing base wedge o steotomy of the first metatarsal.