The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2008;90:1660-1664.
doi:10.2106/JBJS.G.00552
© 2008 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.
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Emergency Brake Response Time After First Metatarsal Osteotomy

G. Holt, MBChB, MRCS1, M. Kay, BSc1, R. McGrory, BSc1 and C.S. Kumar, FRCS(Tr&Orth)1

1 Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, United Kingdom. E-mail address for G. Holt: graemeholt{at}btinternet.com
Investigation performed at the Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Disclosure: The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.

Background: There is sparse information upon which to recommend a return to activity after foot surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether six weeks is sufficient time for the emergency brake response time to return to preoperative levels after a first metatarsal osteotomy for symptomatic hallux valgus.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study to assess the effect of surgery on emergency brake response time in a group of twenty-eight patients undergoing a unilateral first metatarsal osteotomy on the right side for symptomatic hallux valgus. A custom-made driving simulator was used to assess total brake response time, reaction time, and brake time. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at two and six weeks postoperatively. A control group of twenty-eight individuals matched for age, driving status, and sex was included for baseline comparison.

Results: Total brake response time, reaction time, and brake time were significantly lower for the control cohort compared with the preoperative values recorded in the study cohort (p < 0.05). Only seven of the twenty-eight study patients were able to complete the assessment at two weeks; the remainder were not able to complete it because of postoperative pain. All patients were able to comfortably complete the study at six weeks. In the study cohort, the total brake response time, reaction time, and brake time had significantly improved compared with preoperative recordings (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: By six weeks after surgery, emergency braking time in patients undergoing a first metatarsal osteotomy is similar to that of healthy individuals.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


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