Purpose: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common foot deformity that causes pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Distal metatarsal osteotomies are commonly performed as a treatment. This retrospective study compared the clinical and radiological results of bioabsorbable magnesium (Mg) versus titanium (Ti) screw fixation for modified distal chevron osteotomy in HV. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine patients, who underwent modified distal chevron osteotomy for HV in 2018 and 2019, were reviewed retrospectively. Bioabsorbable Mg screw fixation was applied in 20 patients (22 feet), and a traditional Ti compression screw was applied in 29 patients (40 feet). The patients were followed up for at least six months. The clinical results were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (AOFAS-MTP-IP) scale and a visual analogue scale (VAS). The hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) were measured before, after surgery, and at the six months follow-up. Results: The AOFAS-MTP-IP scale and VAS points were improved in both groups, with no significant difference between them. At the six-month follow-up, HVA, IMA, and DMAA were similar. Bone union was confirmed in both groups, and there were no significant major complications in both groups. Four people in the Ti screw group underwent implant removal surgery. Conclusion Bioabsorbable Mg screws showed comparable clinical, radiologic results to Ti standard screws six months after distal modified chevron osteotomy. These screws are an alternative fixation material that can be used safely and avoid the need for implant removal operations.

Background: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) continues to be the popular treatment for meniscal tears, but recent randomized controlled trials have questioned its efficacy. To provide more evidence-based criteria for patient selection, we undertook this study to identify prognostic factors associated with clinical failure after APM for medial meniscus tears. Methods: Medical records of 160 patients followed up for at least 5 years after APM for medial meniscal tears were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data (age, sex, and body mass index), radiographic variables (Kellgren-Lawrence [K-L] grade and hip-knee-ankle [HKA] angle), and clinical scores (International Knee Documentation Committee score, Tegner activity scale score, Lysholm score, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) were recorded. Clinical failure was defined as the need for an additional surgical procedure (arthroscopy, osteotomy, or arthroplasty) or the presence of intolerable pain. Survivorship analysis with clinical failure as an end point was performed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Factors related to clinical failure were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. Cutoff values were determined using areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Radiographic progression of osteoarthritis was analyzed using the chi-square test, and serial changes of clinical scores were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Results: Clinical success rates were 95.7% at 5 years, 75.6% at 10 years, and 46.3% at 15 years. Age, HKA angle, and K-L grade (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, and p = 0.04, respectively) were found to be significant risk factors of clinical failure. Cutoff values at 10 years postoperatively as determined by ROC analysis were 50 years for age (sensitivity = 0.778, 1-specificity = 0.589), grade 2 for K-L grade (sensitivity = 0.778, 1-specificity = 0.109), and 5.5° for HKA angle (sensitivity = 0.667, 1-specificity = 0.258). In patients who had clinical success until 10 years after APM, radiological osteoarthritis progressed gradually. However, the clinical scores of patients who achieved clinical success did not decrease significantly over the 10-year follow-up. Conclusions The poor prognostic factors found to be related to clinical failure after APM for a medial meniscal tear were patient age (≥ 50 years), preoperative K-L grade (≥ grade 2), and preoperative HKA angle (≥ varus 5.5°).