What is Lapidus Arthrodesis? How the DynaClip Forte Bone Fixation System Can Provide Successful Joint Fusion
Bunions are deformities that form along the side of the big toe. Also known as hallux valgus, bunions occur when the big toe bends and presses against the neighboring toe. The toe then becomes painful and swollen.
Bunions can be hereditary. However, they are often developed as a result of wearing tight or poorly shaped shoes. Other causes of bunions include arthritis and foot stress. More than a third of the women in America have bunions. In many cases, they can be remedied by making simple changes such as wearing shoes that fit properly or using padding for the foot. However, some cases require surgical intervention.
This is a surgical procedure that is used to treat painful bunions that cause difficulty in walking. The Lapidus procedure is done to realign the bones, tendons, nerves, and ligaments and thus bring your toes back to their correct position. The procedure corrects the deformity by fusing the first metatarsal bone with the medial cuneiform. It involves removing the cartilage on the surface of both bones, restoring them to the correct position, then placing hardware such as screws and plates to hold the bones in place and promote fusion.
The Lapidus procedure is often applied for bunion deformities with large angles, or when there is increased mobility through the tarsometatarsal joint. Too much movement or looseness in the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint results in instability or hypermobility. The big toe compensates for the movement of the first metatarsal by moving in the opposite direction. Fusing the TMT joint during the Lapidus procedure is done to prevent abnormal movement of the first metatarsal. This helps to keep the big toe straight and decrease the risk of developing bunions in the future.
How the DynaClip® Bone Fixation System Can Provide Successful Joint Fusion
The fusion between the bones of the TMT joint is facilitated by fixating them together in place. The most common systems for achieving this in the past consisted of small plates and screws, i.e. crossed-screw repair. However, these systems have high failure rates as non-union and complications have been reported in up to 15 percent of cases. These and other systems including K-wires and mechanical staples do not provide the mechanical stability or compression required to maintain the contact needed to facilitate fusion across the TMT joint.
NiTiNOL staples are emerging as an effective alternative fixation system for providing stability to the TMT joint following the Lapidus procedure. The DynaClip Forte compression staple is designed with a 24 degree of bridge curvature and a 4-leg configuration. This, in combination with the superelasticity of the NiTiNOL, ensures maximum compression is maintained across the fusion site after the procedure.
In addition, the DynaClip Forte NiTiNOL staple has a more low profile compared with other NiTiNOL staples. This minimizes discomfort and irritation as it does not create any prominence leading to better patient satisfaction.
Get in touch with us or visit our website to learn more about the DynaClip ForteÔ Bone Fixation System and other innovative products from MedShape, Inc.
