Abstract
The first metatarsophalangeal joint is one of the most frequently operated joints in human body. The indications for the surgery are mostly axis deviations of the first ray of the foot both congenital and acquired and other joint degenerative disease as primary arthrosis or rheumatic disease.
If the limited motion of the joint is the main symptom, we are used to talk about hallux rigidus in the strict sense of word. One of the possible methods of surgical treatment of this disease is the interpositional alloplasty.
The authors present their experience with the usage of DePuy's button spacer on the group of 33 patients (35 feet) with follow up from 2.25 to 4.5 years. The AOFAS score was increased during the treatment from 45 to 85 points and the major part of the patients assessed their state of health more favourably than before the surgery.