SHORTENING OF THE FIRST METATARSAL FOLLOWING CLOSING BASE WEDGE OSTEOTOMY

Shortening of the first metatarsal has been one of the reported compli cations noted in association with base osteotomies. Previous studies h ave used radiographs as a means of assessing metatarsal length, the re liability of which has been subject to question. In this study, the au thors have determined the amount of shortening that may be anticipated with a closing base wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal through a n experimental model. A mathematical model was also devised that confi rmed these findings, Additional studies were performed to determine wh at influence other variables may have on this procedure.