Measurement of Arch Motion After Bunion Surgery

Device/fluoroscopy measurements of arch motion and questionnaire data will be acquired on 10
women undergoing surgery for bunion, and 10 controls. Surgery will implant hardware to fuse
(stabilize) the arch. Methods will evaluate the patient's problems associated with bunion
and satisfaction with surgery, and assess the effectiveness of surgery in reducing motion of
the arch. The hypotheses are that patients treated with surgery will demonstrate improvement
in function, and that surgery will reduce motion of the arch postoperatively (posttest
measures acquired 6 months after surgery), and in comparison to measures taken on a control
group.

The data collected will come from a comprehensive examination. Methods will include the
measurement of arch motion made by an examiner using a device and a fluoroscopic gait
examination procedure, and completion of two medical questionnaires. The fluoroscopic
acquisition of the digital images will be analyzed across the specified time dimensions of
the gait cycle.

Device and fluoroscopy of measures of arch motion will be made at 2 time points on patients
enrolled in this study: presurgery (baseline) and 6 months postsurgery. The questionnaire
measurements of self-reported pain and function will be made at 4 time points: presurgery
(baseline) and again at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postsurgery. Outcome measurements
will be collected on control subjects at one time point only, on the day of their enrollment
into the study.

Prospective studies have not characterized outcomes in patients receiving this type surgical
fusion as part of the corrective treatment for bunion. Results have potential to improve
surgical treatment outcomes and, improve upon the current methods of fluoroscopic motion
analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 18 or older.

- Women.

- Able to comprehend the risks associated with the study.

- Able to complete the paperwork required for enrollment.

- Able to walk without assistance of another individual.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnancy

- History of great toe, forefoot or arch surgery, or severe traumatic injury.

- Reduced ankle or great toe motion that impairs the ability to walk.

- Observed evidence of foot deformity other than bunion.

- Insensate to skin sensation testing which could indicate neuropathy.