REPAIR OF HALLUX-VALGUS WITH A DISTAL SOFT-TISSUE PROCEDURE AND PROXIMAL METATARSAL OSTEOTOMY

We retrospectively reviewed the results for seventy-five patients (109 feet) in whom a hallux valgus deformity had been corrected with the release of the distal soft tissues, excision of the medial eminence, plication of the medial part of the capsule, and proximal crescentic osteotomy of the first metatarsal. The patients were followed for an average of thirty-four months (range, twenty-four to fifty-six months). The preoperative hallux valgus angle averaged 31 degrees, and the postoperative angle averaged 9 degrees. The preoperative intermetatarsal angle averaged 14 degrees and the postoperative angle, 6 degrees. Ninety-three per cent of the patients were satisfied with the result of the procedure. They stated that, given the same circumstances, they would have the operation again. The most common complication was hallux varus, which occurred in thirteen feet (nine patients). The other complications included recurrence of the hallux valgus in two feet, pain under a fibular sesamoid in one foot, and a tailor's bunion that was unrelated to the operation in one foot. Only five of forty-eight feet that had had a symptomatic plantar keratosis beneath the second metatarsal head preoperatively remained symptomatic postoperatively.