Subchondral insufficiency fractures of the femoral head (SIFFH) occur with normal or physiological stress in patients with poor bone quality. We evaluated the clinical characteristics of SIFFH. Nine cases of SIFFH were treated and followed up for an average of 9 months. Femoral head collapse (FHC) on radiographs was classified as minimal (< 2 mm), moderate (2-4 mm), and severe (> 4 mm). The severity of osteopenia was scored by Singh index (SI). Other characteristics of SIFFH were ascertained by assessing the clinical course as well as Body Mass Index (BMI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Introduction
Methods
We performed nine metatarsal and three proximal phalangeal lengthenings in five patients with congenital brachymetatarsia of the first and one or two other metatarsal bones, by a one-stage combined shortening and lengthening procedure using intercalcary autogenous bone grafts from adjacent shortened metatarsal bones. Instead of the isolated lengthening of the first and the other metatarsal bones, we shortened the adjacent normal metatarsal and used the excised bone to lengthen the short toes, except for the great toe, to restore the normal parabola. One skin incision was used. All the operations were performed bilaterally and the patients were followed up for a mean period of 69.5 months (29 to 107). They all regained a nearly normal parabola and were satisfied with the cosmetic results. Our technique is straightforward and produces good cosmetic results. Satisfactory, bony union is achieved, morbidity is low, and no additional surgery is required for the removal of metal implants.