Prosthetic rehabilitation of amputated hallux after distraction osteogenesis

Abstract

The great toe helps in maintaining body balance during standing, walking, running, dancing, and so on. A 22 year-old female patient reported to the department, one month after losing her left hallux in a road accident. Anatomical reconstruction was performed with distraction osteogenesis. The prosthesis was constructed using a wax pattern of the normal hallux to create a silicone prosthesis. The residual limb mold was altered to increase prosthesis retention. The procedure was economical, conserved materials, and produced lifelike anatomy without requiring artistic expertise. Distraction osteogenesis helped in improving function and retention of the prosthesis. Satisfactory esthetic and functional results were observed at the one-year follow-up. Distraction osteogenesis of the amputated hallux improved prosthetic prognosis by aiding retention. Modifications were made in the conventional prosthesis fabrication technique to increase retention, as the hallux is in constant movement and/or friction.