[The surgical management of the forefoot in rheumatoid arthritis. A review of 150 cases (author's transl)].

The authors have performed 150 surgical procedures in 95 patients. In most of the cases, the procedure was a resection - realignment of the metatarsal heads. The results were assessed in 80 patients and were found to be satisfactory as regards pain and functional ability. Good results persisted as regards pain which remained absent in 90% of cases but the functional results tended to worsen with time. Good results being present in only 70% after a 10 year follow up. In 34 cases a prosthetic implant (Swanson type) was used. The results were deceptive.