Study of straight metatarsal osteotomy for the treatment of plantar callosities

Background and Aims: To evaluate the outcome of transverse distal metatarsa l osteotomies for intractable plantar callosity without hammer toe deformit y and associated toe corns. Material and Methods: Twenty-five plantar callosities were treated in 19 fe et of 13 patients (mean age 48 years, 5 male, 8 female) with transverse dis tal metatarsal osteotomy Results: Twenty-four of the osteotomies united primarily, one after revisio n. After a 7-year follow-up, 23 of the callosities had healed, two of them after an oblique reosteotomy. Eight hammer toe deformities had developed in the involved rays of four feet. Eight plantar callosities had developed ou tside the operated rays in five feet. Hallux valgus was a frequent finding in both operated and non-operated feet. Conclusion: It seems that transverse distal metatarsal osteotomy is an effe ctive treatment of intractable plantar callosities. Harmful hammer toe defo rmities and transfer lesions below adjacent metatarsal heads tend to develo p over time.