From the Research
Definition and Purpose of Cheilectomy
- Cheilectomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The aim of cheilectomy is to relieve pain and improve function by excising the dorsal exostosis and part of the metatarsal head 1, 5.
- Cheilectomy is typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate hallux rigidus, especially those with dorsal pain and dorsiflexion stiffness 2, 5.
Surgical Techniques and Outcomes
- Cheilectomy can be performed using open, arthroscopic, or percutaneous techniques 5.
- Studies have shown that cheilectomy can achieve good results in patient satisfaction and functional outcome, with significant improvements in pain, range of motion, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores 1, 3, 4.
- Cheilectomy has been found to be a reliable technique for hallux rigidus, with low complication rates and high patient satisfaction rates 1, 3, 4.
Indications and Patient Selection
- Proper patient selection is critical to obtaining favorable outcomes with cheilectomy 2.
- Cheilectomy is generally considered to be the first-line surgical choice for patients with early stages of hallux rigidus, presenting with dorsal pain and dorsiflexion stiffness 5.
- Patients with severe arthritic changes and pain in the midrange arc of motion may have poorer outcomes with cheilectomy and may be better served with joint-destructive procedures, such as arthroplasty or arthrodesis 2.