Use of Small Joint Arthroscopy for Diagnosis and Treatment of a First Metatarsal Head Osteochondral Defect

Case: A case of a painful first metatarsophalangeal joint in a 28-year-old woman is reported. Clinical examination and imaging were suspicious for osteochondral lesion of the first metatarsal head. A 1.9-mm arthroscope was used for diagnosis and treatment of an osteochondral defect with microfracture and dehydrated, micronized allogenic cartilage application with an excellent postoperative outcome. Conclusion: From the 3-month through 1-year follow-up, the patient continued a pain-free return to normal function. This case suggests that arthroscopy is as a viable approach to resurfacing osteochondral lesions of the big toe joint.