Abstract
Aim
To assess if immediate post-operative weight bearing has a negative influence on the results of osteotomy plus distal soft tissue repair to correct hallux valgus.
Design
The results of a crescentic osteotomy plus distal soft tissue repair with Akin osteotomy added as indicated were assessed in 61 consecutive cases. Thirty five were bilateral. This gives a total of 96 feet. During this time other procedures were also performed for hallux valgus.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 54 years [16–79]. Measurements of the angles were done pre-operatively, at six weeks post op and at the time of final follow-up, at least three months post-surgery. Only one case was totally lost to follow-up, although in some cases some of the measurements were lost or could not be retrieved.
The mean pre-operative angle between first and second metatarsals was 14.8° and the hallux valgus angle was 29.8°
The average decrease of the intermetatarsal angle at six weeks was 5.9° and at final follow-up 5.5°.
The correction of the hallux valgus at six weeks averaged 13.3° and at final follow-up 13°.
Repair of an adjacent clawed second toe was done in 25 of the feet. A number of other smaller procedures were also done in a small number of cases.
Superficial sepsis was present in two cases, both cleared up on treatment.
In three cases it appeared that non-union was developing.
In four feet hallux valgus was still present to a significant degree and these were classified as failures. The failures will be analysed and discussed endeavouring to recognise the reasons for failure.
Conclusion
Immediate post-surgical weight bearing does not compromise the results of crescentic osteotomy plus distal soft tissue procedure after surgery for hallux valgus.
MULTIPLE DISCLOSURES
