The primary purpose of the Lapidus procedure is to realign which joint?

The primary purpose of the Lapidus procedure is to realign which joint?

• A. First MTP Joint
• B. Naviculo-Cuneiform Joint
• C. First Metatarsal-Cuneiform Joint
• D. Subtalar Joint

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the Lapidus procedure realigns the first ray by stabilizing the base of the first metatarsal. It does this through fusion of the first tarsometatarsal joint—the joint between the first metatarsal and the cuneiforms. By eliminating motion at this joint, the first ray can be re-angled and realigned under the medial column, which corrects hallux valgus in patients with a hypermobile first ray. The other joints listed aren’t involved in this procedure: the naviculo-cuneiform joint is a midfoot joint, the first MTP joint is the toe joint, and the subtalar joint is a hindfoot joint.

The key idea is that the Lapidus procedure realigns the first ray by stabilizing the base of the first metatarsal. It does this through fusion of the first tarsometatarsal joint—the joint between the first metatarsal and the cuneiforms. By eliminating motion at this joint, the first ray can be re-angled and realigned under the medial column, which corrects hallux valgus in patients with a hypermobile first ray. The other joints listed aren’t involved in this procedure: the naviculo-cuneiform joint is a midfoot joint, the first MTP joint is the toe joint, and the subtalar joint is a hindfoot joint.