Abstract
The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the functional outcome of patients who underwent the Lapidus procedure as a treatment for moderate to severe metatarsus primus varus and hallux valgus deformities. Inclusion criteria were failure of non-surgical management for moderate or severe deformity, inter-metatarsal angles of more than 14° and hallux valgus angles of more than 30°. Exclusion criteria were any previous hallux valgus procedures, insulin-dependent diabetics, previous ankle or subtalar fusions, peripheral vascular disease or peripheral neuropathy. Bilateral procedures had to be at least six months apart to be included. The AOFAS Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal Scale (HMIS), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS), Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Scale, clinical examination and weight-bearing radiographs were used for assessment.
All patients were followed up for at least six months. Patients lost to follow-up in less than a year were excluded from the analysis. For a mean of 3.7 years (1 to 6.2), 126 feet in 110 patients were followed up, 105 of them (91 patients) for at least one year. At most recent follow-up, HMIS scores increased from 52 preoperatively to 87 (p < 0.0001). VAPS improved from 5.3 to 1.3 (p < 0.0001). The hallux valgus angle improved from 37° to 16° and the intermetatarsal angle improved from 18° to 8.2°. At 3.7 years, 88.5% of patients were very satisfied, 5% somewhat dissatisfied and 1.5% dissatisfied.
With proper technique and attention to detail, the Lapidus procedure is an excellent alternative for moderate to severe metatarsus primus varus and hallux valgus deformities.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at PO Box 47363, Parklands, Johannesburg 2121, South Africa.
