USE OF GROMMETS FOR FLEXIBLE HINGE IMPLANT ARTHROPLASTY OF THE GREAT TOE

A double stemmed flexible hinge implant was designed in 1974 for use w ith the Mayo type resection arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalang eal joint. Press-fit titanium grommets were developed in 1985 to prote ct the implant midsection from sharp bony edges and shearing forces th at can lead to implant abrasion or fracture, and particulate synovitis . The study of 90 first metatarsophalangeal joint implant arthroplasti es performed with encircling press fit titanium grommets showed favora ble bone response around the implant stems and the bone to grommet int erface, with absence of complications relating to particulate reactivi ty, implant or grommet fracture. These findings suggest that the gromm ets effectively protect the implant to bone interface, improve implant durability, and prevent particulate synovitis.