Citation

Hallinan JTPD, Statum SM, Huang BK, Bezerra HG, Garcia DAL, Bydder GM, Chung CB. Radiographics 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, 119074 Singapore (J.T.P.D.H.); Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore (J.T.P.D.H.); Department of Radiology, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, Calif (S.M.S., G.M.B., C.B.C.); Department of Radiology, San Diego Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, Calif (B.K.H., C.B.C.); Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração (HCor) and Teleimagem, São Paulo, Brazil (H.G.B.); and Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (UNIFESP) and Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (D.A.L.G.).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Radiological Society of North America)

DOI

10.1148/rg.2020190145

PMID

32412828

Abstract

The first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) is vital to the biomechanics of the foot and supports a weight up to eight times heavier than the body during athletic activities. The first MTPJ comprises osseous and cartilaginous surfaces along with a complex of supporting structures, including the dorsal extensor tendons, collateral ligaments, and a plantar plate complex. In contradistinction to the lesser MTPJ plantar plates, a single dominant fibrocartilaginous capsular thickening does not exist at the first MTPJ. Instead, the plantar plate complex comprises a fibrocartilaginous pad that invests the hallux sesamoids and is inseparable from the plantar capsule, the intersesamoid ligament, paired metatarsosesamoid and sesamoid phalangeal ligaments (SPLs), and the musculotendinous structures. Acute injury at the first MTPJ is typically secondary to forced hyperextension-turf toe-and can involve multiple structures. During hyperextension, the resulting forces primarily load the distal SPLs, making these structures more susceptible to injury. SPL injuries are best seen in the sagittal plane at MRI. Radiography can also aid in diagnosis of full-thickness SPL tears, demonstrating reduced sesamoid excursion at lateral dorsiflexed (stress) views. Hallux valgus is another common condition, resulting in progressive disabling deformity at the first MTPJ. Without appropriate treatment, first MTPJ injuries may progress to degenerative hallux rigidus. The authors detail the anatomy of the first MTPJ in cadaveric forefeet by using high-resolution 3-T and 11.7-T MRI and anatomic-pathologic correlation. Injuries to the plantar plate complex, collateral ligaments, and extensor mechanism are discussed using clinical case examples. Online supplemental material is available for this article.^©RSNA, 2020.

Language: en