Abstract
We wish to report the use of a modified ‘Y-V’ medial capsular repair in association with Chevron osteotomy fixed rigidly with Barouk screw for Hallux valgus in 45 patients (52 feet) aged 16 to 70 years (mean 47 years) between July 2004 and September 2005. All patients were retrospectively reviewed by questionnaire, physical examination (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score) and comparison of preoperative and post operative x rays.
Using this technique none of the patients required additional immobilization apart from wool and crepe bandage following surgery. All osteotomies healed without any problem. There was no deep infection reported in this series. There were two superficial infection treated with oral antibiotics. There is no recurrence of deformity so far. At an average of six months follow up American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved significantly. Intermetatarsal (IM) angle and the hallux valgus (HV) angles were also improved considerably.
Stabilization of Chevron osteotomy with k wires, plaster of Paris is well known but these techniques have problems of infection and stiffness. Osteotomies carried out without any stabilization has high recurrence rate. Fixation of osteotomy with Barouk screw is a very simple procedure, which not only gives stability and compression to osteotomy but also reduces need for any plaster immobilization thus speed up rehabilitation. This also gives extra confidence to surgeon to allow patient for early weight bearing and mobilization.
We also recommend the use of modified ‘Y-V’ medial capsular repair to correct the hallux valgus angle and reduce the meta tarso-phalangeal joint leading to reduction in possibility of recurrence.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Bimal Singh, BOSA at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE
