The Proximal Opening Wedge Osteotomy for the Correction of Hallux Valgus Deformity

Many surgical procedures exist to correct metatarsus primus varus associated with hallux valgus deformity. Among these procedures are various first metatarsal osteotomies. Both distal and proximal osteotomies have been described to correct these deformities with the latter typically used for the more severe deformity. The goal of the operative procedure is correction of the intermetatarsal and hallux valgus angles with restoration of pain-free shoe wear. The complications associated with the various described proximal metatarsal osteotomies are many, and the techniques can be technically demanding, especially for the surgeon without assistance in the operating room. Although generally good results are observed with traditional osteotomies, the complication rate remains high, leading many surgeons to search for alternative means for correcting these deformities. In this paper, we review a novel technique with a proximal opening wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal for the correction of moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity.