Method of using absorbable joint implants for the lesser digits and metatarsal phalangeal joints in the surgical correction of the foot
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/879,886, filed May 7, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,712. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the correction of malformations of the foot, and particularly to methods and apparatus for correction of hammer toes or similar conditions of the lesser digits and metatarsal phalangeal joints by surgical correction of the foot. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     To date, there exist various types of implant-joint replacement of the foot. Dow Corning Wright has manufactured the SILASTIC® HP 100 (Swanson type) Weil design, which consists of a double stemmed flexible implant with a cylindrical center body. Sutter Biomedical introduced both the Sutter and Sgarlato design which also consist of flexible double-hinged implants with a rectangular or trapazoidal central body. The techniques involved in implantation of these devices are rather similar. All consist of an arthroplasty of the joint, with resection of the head of the proximal phalanx, reaming of the modulary canal, and stem insertion. A description of these techniques is found in Shaw, A., et al. The Use of Digital Implants For the Correction of Hammer Toe Deformity and Their Potential Complications and Management, 31 The Journal of Foot Surgery 63 (January/February 1992.) 
     Though simple, this technique is frought with complications. These include the following: 
     1. recurrence of flexion deformity; 
     2. infection; 
     3. biomaterial failure; 
     4. bone damage; 
     5. reactive synovitis with silicone shards discovered in inguinal nodes; and 
     6. implant dislocation. 
     BIODEGRADABLE BONE PINS 
     Presently there are numerous materials that are biodegradable in the human body. Polyglycolic acid is a material used in DEXON® (Davis &amp; Geck) which is an absorbable suture that is eliminated by hydrolysis. The same material has been utilized as a fixation material for bone fragments. However, its rigidity and recent reports of foreign body reactions, make it a poor candidate for implant material. 
     Johnson &amp; Johnson has introduced the ORTHOSORB® absorbable pin-tapered pin. It is made of the same material marketed by Johnson &amp; Johnson as PDS®. The pin is constructed from poly-p-dioxanon, stained with D+C violet #2 to which a stainless steel K wire is attached. The pin is placed across a fracture site and is absorbed over a period of six months through hydrolysis. Healing ultimately takes place without resurgery to remove the fixation devices. In the placement of such pins, a usual object is to reduce the fracture fragments to a reasonable distance, which enables union to take place between the bones, rather than a gap being filled fibrous tissue which would result across too large a gap. Ortho Sorb brochure (1990 Johnson &amp; Johnson) illustrates such bone growth. This indicates that the absorbable device acts as a stabilization device rather than an onlay graft. As the pin is hydrolyzed, it is ultimately replaced by bone as the fracture heals. 
     See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,603, Bone Pin to Clemow, et al. 
     OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to avert most of the complications encountered with implantation of a foreign body. 
     It is a further object of this invention to create an implant which would: 
     1. be easy to implant; 
     2. have low possibilities of foreign body rejection; 
     3. stabilize the digit; 
     4. provide a framework in which scar tissue (fibrous tissue) can form; 
     5. last long enough for mature fibrous tissue to adequately replace it; 
     6. be relatively cost effective; and 
     7. ultimately be absorbed and replaced by said fibrous tissue. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention would achieve these objects by providing a metatarsal implant of a biodegradable substance that would eventually be replaced by mature fibrous tissue. 
     It is a documented fact that once an implant has been in place for a period of six weeks, the full benefit of the implant has been achieved. (Shaw, et al, supra at 63.) Fibrous tissue that will stabilize the toe and serve to maintain digital length (the two major goals of digital implant surgery of the foot) is present and relatively mature. 
     Contrary to the teaching of the bone pin art, the present invention would involve an artheroplasty in which a gap of more than 1 mm. is left between bone sections on either side of the excised joint. A biodegradeable implant is inserted between the bone sections to locate the bone sections and maintain the distal spacing beyond that space which permits the growth of bone therebetween. 
     Over time, fibrous tissue forms around the implant, and replaces the implant, which is eventually absorbed into the body. This process usually takes 6-7 months through a process known as hydrolysis. 
     The implant may take a number of appropriate forms, as described below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, located between bone ends into which this embodiment may be fitted. 
     FIG. 4 is a view showing a drilling template and a drill driver with a K-wire bit. 
     FIG. 5 is an elevation of a pair of bone ends with a template in place to be drilled. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a toe, showing a first step in the method of this invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a similar view of the second step. 
     FIG. 8 is a similar view of another step. 
     FIG. 9 is a similar view of another step. 
     FIG. 10 is a view showing a pair of bones with a joint section therefrom and an implant of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a view of a third embodiment of the present invention, located as intended between the bones, and ready to be slid into its intended position. 
     FIG. 12 is an elevational view in partial section through the bone but not through the shaft of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is an oblique view of another embodiment. 
     FIG. 14 is a similar view with the seizing exploded to show how it is seized. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The digital and metarso phalangeal joints would beneficially be constructed from Poly-p-dioxanon (the same material ORTHOSORB is constructed from), and would be similarly stained. Two designs would be introduced: 
     Type I-This would be used in a digit that requires a minimal amount of transverse plane and saggital plane stability. 
     FIG. 1 shows a solid rod 2 of approximately 1.0 mm diameter, comprising a solid 1.3-1.5 mm ball 4 in the center of the rod&#39;s longitudinal axis. 
     FIG. 2 shows a similar arrangement wherein shafts 6, 8 are connected and spaced by spacer 10 comprising two transverse pegs 12, 14 connected by longitudinal stabilizers 16, 18. 
     Type II-As shown in FIG. 3, this type of implant 11 would be suitable for a digit or metarsarsal phalangeal joint requiring additional transverse and saggital plane stability. It comprises double 1 mm poly-P-dioxanon pins 6,8 with mid 15 mm connections 10 very much like a ladder. The ladder comprises a pair of 1 mm shafts 20, 22 and transverse pegs 24, 26, 28 connected by longitudinal stabilizers 28, 29. Insertion technique must involve K-wire (Kirschner-wire) drilling of recipient bones, with use of templates for parallel drilling. 
     Pegs 24, 26, 28 have a diameter between 0.5 and 0.8 mm. The transverse pegs 24, 28 provide trans-sectional bone spacing between 1.5-1.8 mm. Spacing between shafts 20, 22 is about 2 mm. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a stainless steel template 30 is placed on the end of a bone such as 32 in FIG. 5. Drill 34 rotates K-wire 36 to through locating template 30 to bore holes 40, 42, 44, 46 in the ends of bones 32, 48. 
     Indications 
     1. Indications which require joint arthroplastic procedures which include the following: 
     a) flexion contractures (rigid) of proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ&#39;s) and distal interphalangeal joints (DIPJ&#39;s) producing painful hammer and mallet digits; 
     b) DJD of joints; 
     c) rhuematoid arthritis requiring joint arthroplasties of MPJ&#39;s and PIPJ&#39;s (proximal interphalangeal joints); 
     d) gout; 
     e) infraction of bone; i.e., Freibergs; and 
     f) joint subluxation with secondary degeneration. 
     Contraindications 
     Containdications are: 
     1. Patients who have a known sensitivity to poly-P-dioxanon; 
     2. infection; 
     3. poor bone stock (relative); 
     4. peripheral vascular disease; 
     5. neuropathy (a relative contraindication); and 
     6. these implants are not to be used in the first MPJ or interphalangeal joint (IPJ) of the hallux. 
     Technique 
     1. A dorsal linear incision 50 is placed over joint 52 [FIG. 6]; 
     2. the extensor tendon is tenotomized [FIG. 7] and reflected [FIG. 8] exposing the joint capsule 54; 
     3. the capsule is incised transversely, exposing the head of the phalanx or metatarsal; 
     4. As in FIGS. 9, 10 the phalangeal head is resected (metatarsal) with a saggital saw 60 dorsal to plantarly for a Type I implant, Section 61 is removed; 
     5. holes are drilled proximally 62 and distally with 0.39-0.67 K-wire depending on size of implant as in FIG. 10; and 
     6. uni-stemmed implant 70 is fit into reamed holes 62, 64 with the central sphere 72 centered in the joint. The ends of the implant 74, 76 are cut to fit the proper size. 
     There are presently envisioned 2-3 sizes of this type, for use as appropriate. 
     As in FIG. 11, for Type II implant, a template 30 is used to guide parallel drill holes 40, 42 made by 0.45&#34; K-wires 36 (or manufacturing of 0.45-0.39&#34; K-wires depending on size of the implant). 
     7. A stainless steel guide pattern or cut-out 30 is used to cut two parallel holes into both bones. This implant will, in most cases, be used in the lesser MPJ&#39;s where more bone surface area is available. 
     8. As in FIGS. 3 and 11, the correct size implant 11 is used and inserted into the parallel drill holes 40, 42, 44, 46. This implant is cut to proper size centering the vertical &#34;steps&#34; 24, 26, 28 centrally (the focal or &#34;stress&#34; point of the joint). 
     Contrary to the teaching of Clemow, et al., supra, a tight fit between holes and implant shafts is not required, since it is intended to have fibrous tissues fill the spaces left between bones and shafts. 
     9. After placement, the stability and position of the toe is checked. Flexion and extension of the joint should not result in dislocation of the implant. 
     10. The tissue layers are then coapted as necessary. Tailoring of the extensor tendon is performed as needed. 
     11. The skin is coapted. 
     Post-op Care 
     1. The patient is allowed to ambulate freely after the second post operative day with post operative shoes; i.e., DARCO®, or REESE®. 
     2. Pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended with the use of intravenous antibiosis; i.e., a regimen of ANCEF® one gram Intravenous piggy back every 8 hours, times 3 doses, or oxacillin one gram every 4-6 hours. (Also times three doses.) Both with the dose prior to surgical intervention. 
     3. Due to the mildly radiopaque nature of the implant, post-operative X-rays are taken to check implant positioning, as well as toe position. 
     4. Sutures are removed in 2-3 weeks post-operatively, whereby the patient is slowly weened back to tennis shoes. 
     Alternative Embodiments of the Method 
     Simple Shaft 
     Another method is described below. As shown in FIG. 12, if the holes 101, 102 are drilled to a specific depth 104, 105 in the bone end 111, 112, the fibrous-tissue-forming distance 116 between the bone ends 111, 112 can be maintained by providing a pin implant shaft 120, the length 122 of which equalled the sum of: the hole depths in both bone ends added to the fibrous-tissue-forming distance 116. Shaft length 122=depth 104 +depth 105+distance 116. 
     The disadvantages using such a technique is that, without a stop or bulge or rungs on the shaft to serve as a larger surface abutting the bone end, there would be an increased likelihood that the pin 120 could drive itself deeper into the bones, 121, 122, lengthening the drilled holes 101, 102, and thus allowing the distance between the bone ends 111, 112 to be reduced below the fibrous-tissue-forming distance 116. Thus, the preferred embodiments in the parent application assure a greater likelihood of achieving the desired result. 
     However, the straight or slightly tapered shaft 120 does have the advantage of being presently available as a stock item from Johnson &amp; Johnson. Thus, the method may be practiced without use of a special apparatus. To reduce the likelihood of a reduction of distance between the bone ends, a larger diameter pin will spread force over a larger surface of bone, thus reducing pressure on the bone. 
     Seized Shafts 
     In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, using existing available pins, a spacer pin 130, can be seized to a locating shaft pin 131 with absorbable thread 133. 
     Conventional marlinspike seizing techniques may be used, such as Ashley&#39;s constrictor knot, or the seizing technique 134 shown exploded in FIG. 14, where ends 136, 138 are pulled to make a tight seizing as shown in FIG. 13. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Introduced here is a concept utilizing an absorbable implant to achieve stability and maintain length without the complications of: 1) pin track infection; 2) biomaterial fatigue; 3) synovitis; 4) shard formation; or 5) the possibility of second surgery for implant removal. 
     Lastly, this in itself assures cost effectiveness and safety by avoiding the hazards of second surgery.