10-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS WITH REGNAULD’S PROCEDURE FOR TREATMENT OF HALLUX VALGUS

Abstract

Twenty-five Regnauld’s procedures were performed in 20 patients with painful hallux valgus. This procedure involves the removal of proximal one-third of the proximal phalanx which is fashioned into a ‘hat-shaped graft’ and replaced as an osteochondral autogenous graft. The average age at operation was 56 years (range 39–76). After a mean follow-up of 3 years, 4 months (range 2.5–5.7 years), all the patients were assessed clinically and radiologically. The mean hallux valgus angle preoperatively was 29.3° (range 20–50°). At follow-up, a mean correction of 16.9° was obtained. In our study, 92% of patients were satisfied with the operation, but 8 patients (40%) showed progression of osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. At 10 year follow up all these patient are satisfied with procedure and doing well. In view of the high incidence of degenerative changes in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, this procedure should be reserved for those patients over the age of 65 years or those with early osteoarthritic changes in the first metatarsophalangeal joint.