Background. We present clinical and functional results of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis using Memory staples. Methods. This retrospective observational study reviewed MTPJ arthrodesis with Memory staples from 2012 to 2016. Results. The mean age of 50 patients (55 feet) was 63 years (range 41-77 years). Forty-one feet were in women. Indication was hallux rigidus (n = 49) and hallux valgus (n = 6). The overall union rate was 98.2% (n = 54 of 55), including delayed healing in 3 (5.5%). The average time to union was 12 weeks. At a mean follow-up of 38 months (range 12-73 months), the mean Foot and Ankle Ability Measure score (47 out of 55, 86% response rate) was 87% (interquartile range 78%-100%). Complications included partial laceration of extensor hallucis longus (n = 1), wound infection (n = 4), wound-related (n = 2), lesser metatarsalgia (n = 3), cock up deformity (n = 1), and pain (n = 3). Conclusions. The high union rate, good patient satisfaction scores, and low rate of complications support our use of Memory staples. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV

Dupuytren's disease with severe finger contractures and recurrent contractures following previous surgery often have extensive skin involvement. In these severe cases, excision of the diseased chord along with the involved skin is a good option to reduce the risk of recurrance. The resulting skin defect can be covered with a full thickness skin graft (FTSG) or a cross finger flap. Cross finger flaps have donor finger morbidity and hence a full thickness graft is usually preferred. The FTSG extending to the midlateral margins on both sides of the finger reduces the risk of joint contracture due to graft shrinkage. Once the FTSG is sutured in place, the standard practice is to compress and secure the graft to its recipient bed with a tie-over dressing and this can be time consuming. We present a simple dressing technique to secure the FTSG without the need for a tie-over dressing.

The anatomy of the cords that form in Dupuytren's disease is complicated and a spiral cord is the most challenging variant to address. It displaces the neurovascular bundle toward or beyond the midline and closer to the skin. This article illustrates the surface anatomy of the neurovascular spiral to help surgeons identify this zone of danger that the authors term "the serpentine zone." Careful dissection in this zone will help avoid iatrogenic digital neurovascular injury.

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