The first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ, MTP Joint, or MTPJ) is highly susceptible to arthritis. This is the joint in your foot that attaches the big toe to the first metatarsal. It is a very important joint, and allows for propulsion during gait. There is a great amount of force that is put through the joint when walking, which is quickly absorbed through a number of joints in the foot. Because of this great amount of force place through the joint, it is also highly susceptible to arthritis.
Arthritis of the great toe joint, much like arthritis of any other joint, can be very difficult to treat. It is a painful condition that doesn’t always respond well to medications. There is no real cure for arthritis, and some people are affected by it at a much earlier age than others. Arthritis of the first MPJ is complicated by the fact that it is a weight-bearing joint.
Conservative treatment of first MTPJ arthritis is generally focused on preventing the advancement of arthritis by accommodating any foot deformities that may be present with orthotic devices. A foot deformity that increases pressure or force at the first MTPJ will speed up the progression of arthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used, such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Icing, protective measures, heat, and a number of other non-surgical therapies are often used with varied results.
Surgical options for the treatment of first MTPJ arthritis include a number of procedures, including fusion of the joint, osteotomies (bone cuts), resection of some of the bone, and joint implants, to name a few. Joint implants come in a variety of designs.
One of the types of implants commonly used is the Swanson-type implant. This is an implant that is made of a silicone, and has two stems. One stem is placed into the metatarsal, and the other into the proximal phalanx. Some of the bone must be removed for each stem to fit into its respective end, and a small hole is reamed out to place the stem. Once the implant is placed, it creates a false joint. The first MTPJ, therefore, would have a more functional and painless range of motion. This is the goal of the surgery.
The implants have a lifespan of around 30 years, and are generally well tolerated. Occasionally the implants can breakdown at a faster rate, and cause a condition known as detritic synovitis. This is a condition caused by small particles of the silicone being sheared off within the joint, which leads to inflammation.
These double stem silicone implants are not for everyone, and are generally not used in younger patients, due to the lifespan of the implant. There are a number of different surgical methods for treating first MTPJ arthritis; this type of implant is only one.
