Study Guide

Metatarsus Adductus

Key Points:

Description:

Metatarsus adductus, the most common foot deformity of infancy, involves medial deviation of the forefoot relative to the hindfoot.  This deformity is usually mild, flexible and self-correcting, however, moderate to severe deformities may require treatment. 

Epidemiology:

The incidence may be in the range of 1/1000 births but is more common with a positive family history. (Wynne-Davies 1964)  Other studies have suggested that the incidence may be as high as 12% in term infants (Hunziker 1988). The condition has been associated with torticollis and developmental hip dysplasia (DDH).  The reported incidence of DDH with metatarsus adductus ranges from 1.5 to 10%, however, not all studies have confirmed this association.  (Kumar 1982, Jacobs 1960, Paton 2009, Gruber 1991, Kullmer 1991).

Clinical Findings:

Metatarsus adductus primarily involves medial deviation of the forefoot on the hindfoot.  Secondary characteristics include prominence of the 5th metatarsal base, a neutral to slightly valgus hindfoot, a slightly supinated forefoot and a medial crease.  There may be widening of the space between the 1st and 2nd toes. Additionally, related to the age at diagnosis, many of these patients will also have internal tibial torsion.  

Metatarsus adductus should be distinguished from a skewfoot deformity with fixed hindfoot valgus with lateral subluxation of the navicular on the talar head. 

Imaging Studies:

X-rays or other imaging studies are generally not needed, as the natural history for most cases is benign with spontaneous resolution.  However, with persistent deformity, a standing or simulated weight-bearing view may show a trapezoidal shape of the medial cuneiform and medial deviation of the metatarsals.

Treatment:

Most cases of metatarsus adductus with mild, flexible deformity will spontaneously correct without treatment.  Passive stretching exercises are routinely recommended although some believe that stretching by parents does not help and may be harmful, particularly if not performed correctly.

Mild, passively correctable deformity can be expected to resolve up to age 3 or 4. (Ponseti 1966) and mild residual deformity is benign.(Farsetti 1994, Rushforth 1978)  If the foot is only partly flexible or inflexible, manipulation and serial casting or bracing can be effective, usually between the ages of 6 months and 1 year. A prospective randomized trial of casting compared with orthotic treatment for resistant metarsus adductus demonstrated that the orthotic group had greater improvement in the heel bisector measurement.  However, footprint and radiographic improvement was noted with both methods without the development of hindfoot valgus.  The orthotic program required more active parental participation but was less expensive.(Herzenberg 2014)

Surgical treatment is rarely indicated, but may involve release of the abductor hallucis, medial capsulotomy, or osteotomies.  These surgical treatments, however, are not supported by robust outcome data and high failure rates have been described  .(Stark 1987, Kendrick 1970, Berman 1971, Gamble 1982)  In the uncommon situation of an older child with persistent disabling deformity, options include an opening wedge osteotomy of the medial cuneiform with or without a closing wedge osteotomy of the cuboid or osteotomies of the bases of metatarsals two through four (Lincoln 1976, McHale 1991, Anderson 1991, Conklin 1991)

Complications:

Manipulation and serial casting of metatarsus adductus can lead to iatrogenic hindfoot valgus or skewfoot.  This can be avoided by holding the heel neutral and stationary during the manipulation.  Following surgical treatment, release of the abductor hallucis may contribute to the development of hallux valgus. 

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References:

  1. Anderson DA, Schoenecker PL, Blair VPI. Combined lateral column shortening and medial column lengthening in the treatment of severe forefoot adductus. Orthop Trans 1991; 15: 768.
  2. Berman A, Gartland JJ. Metatarsal osteotomy for the correction of adduction of the fore part of the foot in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1971; 53: 498-506. 
  3. Bleck EE. Metatarsus adductus: classification and relationship to outcomes of treatment. J Pediatr Orthop 1983; 3: 2-9
  4. Conklin MJ, Kling TF. Open-wedge osteotomies of the first cuneiform for metatarsus adductus. Orthop Trans 1991; 106. 
  5. Farsetti P, Weinstein SL, Ponseti IV. The long-term functional and radiographic outcomes of untreated and non-operatively treated metatarsus adductus. J Bone  Joint Surg Am 1994; 76: 257-65. 
  6. Gamble JG, Decker S, Abrams RC. Short first ray as a complication of multiple metatarsal osteotomies. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1982; 164: 241-4.
  7. Kendrick RE, Sharma NK, Hassler WL, et al. Tarsometatarsal mobilization for resistant adduction of the fore part of the foot. A follow-up study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1970; 52: 61-70.
  8. Lincoln CR, Wood KE, Bugg EI Jr, Metatarsus varus corrected by open wedge osteotomy of the first cuneiform bone. Orthop Clin North Am 1976; 7: 795-8. 
  9. McHale KA, Lenhart MK. Treatment of residual clubfoot deformity – the “bean-shaped” foot – by opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomy and closing wedge cuboid osteotomy. Clinical review and cadaver correlations. J Pediatr Orthop 1991; 11: 374-81
  10. Ponseti IV, Becker JR. Congenital metatarsus adductus: the results of treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1966; 48: 702. 
  11. Rushforth GR. The natural history of hooked forefoot. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1978; 60-B: 530-2. 
  12. Stark JG, Johanson JE, Winter RB. The Heyman-Herndon tarsometatarsal capsulotomy for metatarsus adductus: results in 48 feet. J Pediatr Orthop 1987; 7: 305-10.
  13. Wynne-Davies R. Family studies and the cause of congenital club foot.  Talipes equinovarus, talipes calcaneo-valgus and metatarsus varus.  J Bone Joint Surg Br 1964; 46: 445-63

Top Contributors:

Kristin Livingston MD