Radiological Biometric Study of Metatarsals and Phalanges.

Introduction: Several diseases affect the forefoot bones. Relative dimensions of the forefoot bones are important considerations for preoperative and postoperative assessment of surgeries. The choice of a particular surgery over another can also be made if the surgeon knows the length to which a bone needs to be lengthened or shortened in comparison to other bones of the forefoot.

Aim: To measure the dimensions of the metatarsals and phalanges on standardized radiographs and to determine possible correlations amongst them.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 60 volunteer participants of either sex. The dimensions of metatarsals and phalanges were measured on standardized radiographs of both feet in 60 healthy adults. The mean, range and standard deviation were calculated. Correlation analysis was done to assess the association between the variables.

Results: The first metatarsal was the shortest (56.42±4.41 mm in males and 50.09±3.06 mm in females) and widest of all metatarsals (13.7±1.00 mm in males and 11.7±0.91 mm in females). The first proximal phalanx was the longest (28.0±2.40 mm in males and 25.8±2.21 mm in females) and the fifth distal phalanx (5.2±1.33 mm in males and 4.4±1.03 mm in females) was the shortest of all phalanges. A strong correlation (p<0.001) exists amongst the lengths of metatarsals, proximal phalanges and middle phalanges, within their own groups.

Conclusion: Correlation of the lengths and widths of the forefoot bones amongst themselves and between types can be calculated mathematically utilising standardized radiographs. This helps in assessment of forefoot disorders, choose an appropriate surgical technique and postoperative evaluation.