Appropriate Distraction Strength For Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthroscopy

Abstract

This study is to investigate the natural metatasophalangeal joint (MTP) distance, the appropriate degree of distraction and the associated factors including age, gender, body mass index(BMI). Regarding natural MTP joint space size, the MTP-2 joint had the largest joint size (2.39 ± 0.37 mm). The MTP-5 joint had the smallest joint size (1.59 ± 0.34 mm). In MTP joint arthroscopy, traction power of 10 lbs is sufficient for appropriate distraction for all MTP joints while traction power of 5 lbs is an appropriate power for distraction of the MTP-2 joint. Manual traction is generally not appropriate for distraction because it is not consistent or sufficient. Less distraction power is required for males than for females, especially for MTP-1, MTP-3, and MTP-4 joints.