Aims. The first metatarsal pronation deformity of hallux valgus feet is widely recognized. However, its assessment relies mostly on 3D standing CT scans. Two radiological signs, the first metatarsal round head (RH) and inferior tuberosity position (ITP), have been described, but are seldom used to aid in diagnosis. This study was undertaken to determine the reliability and validity of these two signs for a more convenient and affordable preoperative assessment and postoperative comparison. Methods. A total of 200 feet were randomly selected from the radiograph archives of a foot and ankle clinic. An anteroposterior view of both feet was taken while standing on the same x-ray platform. The intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsophalangeal angle (MPA), medial sesamoid position, RH, and ITP signs were assessed for statistical analysis. Results. There were 127 feet with an IMA > 9°. Both RH and ITP severities correlated significantly with IMA severity. RH and ITP were also significantly associated with each other, and the pronation deformities of these feet are probably related to extrinsic factors. There were also feet with discrepancies between their RH and ITP severities, possibly due to intrinsic torsion of the first metatarsal. Conclusion. Both RH and ITP are reliable first metatarsal pronation signs correlating to the metatarsus primus varus deformity of hallux valgus feet. They should be used more for preoperative and postoperative assessment. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(11):1037–1040

Introduction. Recurrence after surgical correction of hallux valgus may be related to coronal rotation of the first metatarsal. The scarf osteotomy is a commonly used procedure for correcting hallux valgus but has limited ability to correct rotation. Using weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT), we aimed to measure the coronal rotation of the first metatarsal before and after a scarf osteotomy, and correlate these to clinical outcome scores. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 16 feet (15 patients) who had a WBCT before and after scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus correction. On both scans, hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle, and anteroposterior/lateral talus-first metatarsal angle were measured using digitally reconstructed radiographs. Metatarsal pronation (MPA), alpha angle, sesamoid rotation angle and sesamoid position was measured on standardized coronal CT slices. Preoperative and postoperative(12 months) clinical outcome scores(MOxFQ and VAS) were captured. Results. Mean HVA was 28.6±10.1 degrees preoperatively and 12.1±7.7 degrees postoperatively. Mean IMA was 13.7±3.8 degrees preoperatively and 7.5±3.0 degrees postoperatively. Before and after surgery, there were no significant differences in MPA (11.4±7.7 and 11.4±9.9 degrees, respectively; p = 0.75) or alpha angle (10.9±8.0 and 10.7±13.1 degrees, respectively; p = 0.83). There were significant improvements in SRA (26.4±10.2 and 15.7±10.2 degrees, respectively; p = 0.03) and sesamoid position (1.4±1.0 and 0.6±0.6, respectively; p = 0.04) after a scarf osteotomy. There were significant improvements in all outcome scores after surgery. Poorer outcome scores correlated with greater postoperative MPA and alpha angles (r= 0.76 (p = 0.02) and 0.67 (p = 0.03), respectively). Conclusion. A scarf osteotomy does not correct first metatarsal coronal rotation, and worse outcomes are linked to greater metatarsal rotation. Rotation of the metatarsal needs to be measured and considered when planning hallux valgus surgery. Further work is needed to compare postoperative outcomes with rotational osteotomies and modified Lapidus procedures when addressing rotation

Metatarsalgia is a recognised complication following iatrogenic shortening of the first metatarsal in the management of hallux valgus. The traditional surgical treatment is by shortening osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals. We describe the results of lengthening of iatrogenic first brachymetatarsia in 16 females. A Scarf-type osteotomy was used in the first four cases and a step-cut of equal thicknesses along the axis of the first metatarsal was performed in the others. The mean follow-up was 21 months (19 to 26). Relief of metatarsalgia was obtained in the six patients in whom 10 mm of lengthening had been achieved, compared to only 50% relief in those where less than 8 mm of lengthening had been gained. One-stage step-cut lengthening osteotomy of the first metatarsal may be preferable to shortening osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals in the treatment of metatarsalgia following surgical shortening of the first metatarsal

We studied a cohort of 26 diabetic patients with chronic ulceration under the first metatarsal head treated by a modified Jones extensor hallucis longus and a flexor hallucis longus transfer. If the first metatarsal was still plantar flexed following these two transfers, a peroneus longus to the peroneus brevis tendon transfer was also performed. Finally, if ankle dorsiflexion was < 5° with the knee extended, a Strayer-type gastrocnemius recession was performed. The mean duration of chronic ulceration despite a minimum of six months’ conservative care was 16.2 months (6 to 31). A total of 23 of the 26 patients were available for follow-up at a mean of 39.6 months (12 to 61) after surgery. All except one achieved complete ulcer healing at a mean of 4.4 weeks (2 to 8) after surgery, and there was no recurrence of ulceration under the first metatarsal. We believe that tendon balancing using modified Jones extensor hallucis longus and flexor hallucis longus transfers, associated in selected cases with a peroneus longus to brevis transfer and/or Strayer procedure, can promote rapid and sustained healing of chronic diabetic ulcers under the first metatarsal head

Purpose of the study: Bipolar dislocation of the first metatarsal, also called floating metatarsal, remains a rare traumatic injury of the first ray of the foot. This is an acute unstable post-traumatic metatarsophalangeal and cuneometatarsal injury occurring simultaneously or successively. Most earlier reports have been single case reports. We report here three successive cases in adults to study the mechanism of the injury, the clinical forms and the different therapeutic modalities. Material and method: The patients were three males aged 35 years on average who presented a bipolar dislocation of the first metatarsal. Results: The causal event was an automobile accident for two patients and a work accident for one. There was an open wound in two cases over the metatarsophalangeal joint. Orthopaedic metatarsophalangeal reduction was achieved in two cases and open cuneometarsal reduction in one. The cuneometatarsal reduction was maintained with a pin for six weeks. The auto-reduction was then continued. Discussion: Described for the first time by English as a paired dislocation, in 1997 Liebner coined the term of a floating metatarsal. We were able to identify eight publications in the literature. The causal mechanism would be successive dislocation of themetatarsophalangeal joint first followed by the cuneometatarsal joint. The metatarsophalangeal dislocation was dorsal in two patients and lateral in one. The sesamoid girdle remained intact (Jahns 1) and in all cases followed the first phalanx in its displacement (Garcia Mata S+). The cuneometatarsal dislocation was dorsal in all cases. The skin opening involved the plantar surface in one case and was medial in the other, allowing externalisation of the first metatarsal head. The floating metatarsal was isolated in one case and associated with a fracture of the second metatarsal in two. Primary reduction of the metatarsophalangeal joint then the cuneometatarsal joint was achieved in all cases. Irreducibility due to a button effect was noted in one case. At minimum three months follow-up, there has been no evidence of deformity. The foot has remained pain free with correct shoe wearing. The control x-rays have not shown any subluxation. Conclusion: The floating first metatarsal is an exceptional foot injury. Primary reduction of the metatarsophalangeal joint appears to be the rule. Adequate primary treatment ensures satisfactory outcome

Introduction: One of the complications of first metatatarsal osteotomies is metatarsalgia secondary to shortening of the first metatarsal. Conservative treatment with insoles is not acceptable to all patients and the traditional treatment of this condition is by shortening osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals (eg Weil, Helal)- the latter osteotomies themselves have complications of causing pain or stiffness in the lesser toes. Purpose: The aim of this work is to report our results of step cut metatarsal lengthening of iatrogenic first brachymetatarsia. Patients and Methods: 16 female patients had metatarsal lengthening of iatrogenic first brachymetatarsia. A typical Scarf type osteotomy was used in the first 4 cases and a simple step cut of equal thicknesses along the axis of the first metatarsal was performed in the next 12 procedures. Results: When 10mm lengthening was done, the metatarsalgia was relieved in all of the 6 patients, in contrary to only 50% relief of symptoms in the patients when less then 8mm lengthening was achieved. Conclusions: One stage step cut lengthening osteotomy of the iatrogenic short first metatarsal, when over 8mm length is achieved, is safe with good results and is a preferable alternative to shortening osteotomies of the lesser metarsals in the treatment of metarsalgia due to inappropriate shortening of the first metatarsal

Purpose of the study: Osteotomy of the first metatarsal has become the gold standard treatment for hallux valgus. We report a study on the changes in radiographic findings as a function of the degree of translation of the distal fragment of the metatarsal during scarf distal wedge osteotomy. Material and methods: From the cohort of patients who underwent hallux valgus surgery in our unit, we collected 118 anteroposterior x-rays of the forefoot. Computer-assisted image processing established a trigonometric analysis of each forefoot before and after standardised virtual surgery. Variations in standard morphological measurements (phalangeal valgus: M1P1; metatarsal varus: M1M2; orientation of the joint surfaces of the first metatarsal: proximally (PMAA) and distally (DMAA). Results: The successive translations significantly modified all of the morphological measurements. For M1M2, intermediary translation corrected the metatarsal varus (< 5) in 72% of the cases, maximal translation in 97%. For the M1P1 angle, intermediary translation only corrected the phalangeal valgus (< 8) in 44% of cases, maximal translation in 31%. For the DMAA angle, intermediary translation corrected the distal articular orientation (< 6) in 66%, maximal translation in 97%. Distal translation of the first metatarsal aggravated the obliquity of the proximal joint surface from a mean 1.57±4.5 to 7.7±4.7, with intermediary translation and to 13.92±4.9 with maximal translation. Discussion: Considering the large number of techniques proposed, the choice of one osetotomy model is reductive, but it does demonstrate via a geometric application the limits of osteotomy translation of the first metatarsal for the correction of hallux valgus

Introduction: The Distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) is a radiographic measure of orientation of the first metatarsal articular surface, it is frequently used in the management of hallux valgus. There is a great deal of conflict regarding accuracy, reproducibility and validity of the DMAA within the literature. This study aims to test the validity of the measurement of the DMAA from standard radiographs, to explore the trigonometric relationship of first metatarsal rotation and the DMAA and to assess inter-observer reliability. Materials/Methods: 34 seperate dry cadaveric first metatarsal bones were mounted onto a customized light-box/protractor allowing controlled incremental changes in rotation and inclination. A series of 39 digital photographs were taken of each metatarsal in 5 degree increments of rotation between 30 degrees supination and 30 degrees pronation and 10, 20 and 30 degrees of inclination. Three reviewers performed blinded DMAA measurements from each image; the data was collated for statistical analysis. Results: The data was analysed using a mixed effects linear model comparing the DMAA with rotation of the first metatarsal. A strong statistically significant trend of increasing score with increasing pronation is observed, the relationship of which is approximately linear. There is a strong effect of inclination, but the strength of this varies with rotation this is amplified at higher inclinations. Inter-observor error was noted in line with other studies, the linear relationship is maintained. Discussion: This study has shown that the distal metatarsal articular angle varies significantly, in an almost linear pattern, with axial rotation of the first metatarsal. Inclination of the first metatarsal is also shown to affect the magnitude of the angle. This study does not refute the distal metatarsal articular angle as an entity, but does confirm the inaccuracy of extrapolating the DMAA from plain AP radiographs

Introduction: A long first metatarsal is a recognized contributing factor to the development of hallux rigidus. It is possible to identify a sub-group of patients with a long first metatarsal and early hallux rigidus. L.S. Barouk & P. Barouk have recently described the use of a modified Weil shortening osteotomy for the treatment of this sub-group of patients. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the early results of a modified Weil’s osteotomy of the first metatarsal in selected patients with hallux rigidus. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with mild to moderate OA of the first MTP joint in whom the first metatarsal was at least as long as the second underwent a shortening and plantar-displacing Weil’s osteotomy. Results: At a minimum follow-up of six months all patients’ symptoms improved dramatically and the range of motion was improved in all cases. One patient, a 19 year old professional footballer, developed a stress fracture of the second metatarsal which went on to heal and he was able to return to professional football. One patient developed transfer metatarsalgia. There were no cases of AVN and all patients were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. Discussion: There are many treatment strategies for hallux rigidus. Fusion surgery provides excellent pain relief but joint preserving surgery is preferable. Cheilectomy is reliable but has a significant failure rate. Joint replacements remain experimental. Debridement of the joint in combination with longitudinal decompression of the first MTPJ provides greater range of motion than cheilectomy alone in the subgroup of patients who have a long first metatarsal. Conclusions: These early results suggest that in selected individuals with hallux rigidus associated with a long first metatarsal, a modified Weil’s osteotomy can improve the range of motion of the first MTP joint and result in significant pain relief

Aim: Chevron osteotomy is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of hallux valgus and results in AVN of the first metatarsal head in up to 20% of cases. This study aims to map out the arrangement of vascular supply to the first metatarsal head and its relationship to the limbs of the chevron cuts. Methods: 10 cadaveric lower limbs were injected with an Indian ink – latex mixture and the feet dissected to evaluate the blood supply to the first metatarsal. The dissection was carried out by tracing the branches of dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial vessels. A distal chevron osteotomy through the neck of the metatarsal was mapped and the relationship of the limbs of the osteotomy to the blood vessels was recorded. Results: The first metatarsal head was found to be supplied by branches from the first dorsal metatarsal, first plantar metatarsal and medial plantar arteries of which the first one was the dominant vessel in 8 of the specimens studied. All the vessels formed a plexus at the plantar – lateral aspect of the metatarsal neck, just proximal to the capsular attachment with varying number of branches from the plexus then entering the metatarsal head. The plantar limb of the proposed chevron cuts exited through this plexus of vessels in all specimens. Contrary to the widely held view, only minor vascular branches could be found entering the dorsal aspect of the neck. Conclusion: The identification of the plantar – lateral corner of the metatarsal neck as the major site of vascular ingress into the first metatarsal head suggests that constructing the chevron osteotomy with a long and thick plantar arm exiting well proximal to the capsular attachment may decrease the incidence of AVN

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of ligamentous restraints on first metatarsal (MT1) movements in the context of hallux valgus (HV), the surgical correction of which relies on a sound understanding of factors leading to MT1 deformity. Hypermobility or instability of the first metatarsal at its tarsometatarsal joint (TMJ1) is associated with greater degrees of deformity and also greater risk of recurrence after surgery. Recent anatomical work has shown the importance of the plantar aponeurosis (PA), and the transverse ‘tie-bar’ system (TTB) of the metatarsophalangeal (MPJ) plantar plates and intervening deep transverse inter-metatarsal ligaments in the structure and function of the foot. These ligamentous systems are important in MPJ stability, but may also be important at TMJ1. Ten normal cadaveric feet were dissected to expose the capsules and ligaments of the MPJs and TMTJs and the PA. They were then mounted in plaster of Paris leaving the MT1, MT2, and their articulations free. A loading fixture was constructed so that loads could be applied to MT1 in the transverse plane to produce moments in flexion, abduction or extension. The movements resulting from a load of 40N were measured relative to MT2 using an Isotrak II (Polhemus, US) magnetic measurement system. The tests were performed with the hallux mobile, fixed neutral and fixed dorsiflexed at the MPJ. After an initial test with all structures intact, the PA and the TTB were severed in random order and the test repeated. “Movement maps” were produced showing the range of motion available in different directions and with different ligamentous restraints. Movement maps suggest that the TMJ1 behaves as a ball and socket joint with no preferred axis of motion. The contributions of the PA and TTB to stiffness in the sagittal plane are small (about 1° movement). However, the TTB provides significant control of the abduction of MT1. The control afforded by the TTB is particularly important since it can ensure that the PA acts to provide an adduction moment about the TMJ1. The integrity of these ligamentous structures is likely to be important in the success of corrective surgical procedures for HV, where disruption can allow up to 10° increase in MT1-2 angles

Objective: The objective of this retrospective study is to evaluate our results with proximal closing-wedge osteotomy of first metatarsal for the treatment of hallux valgus with severe intermetatarsal (IM) angle and normal proximal articular set angle (PASA). Material and methods: We reviewed 110 patients (141 feet) who had been treated by proximal closing-wedge osteotomy of first metatarsal between March-97 and February-04. 87% were women and the mean age was 47.8 years. A single cannulated screw was used for osteotomy fixation in 82% of patients. Additional procedures as phalangeal osteotomy or Keller resection were done when necessary. Results: With a mean follow-up of 42.3 months, correction of the deformity was good or excellent in 80.5% of cases and fair in 15.4%. Pain due to bunion disappeared in 94.3% of feet. Mean preop IM (angle) was 17.3 and postop was 7.9. Metatarsal-phalangeal angle improved from 42.4 to 15.9. Fusion was achieved in 6.8 weeks (average). Complications were: hypercorrection in 13 feet (2 required reoperation); recurrence of deformity in 10 feet (1 reoperation); central metatarsalgia in 8 feet. Neither infection nor nonunions were observed. Patient satisfaction was excellent or good in 92.7% of patients. Conclusion: Proximal closing-wedge osteotomy of first metatarsal is a good technique for the treatment of hallux valgus with severe IM angle and normal PASA. It is an easy and reproducible technique with good results, low number of complications and a high rate of patient satisfaction

Aim. Subjective and objective review of our early experience with scarf osteotomy for correction of Hallux valgus. Introduction. Scarf joint is a technique used by carpenters to increase the size of entrance by longitudinally joining beams of timbers. Scarf osteotomy of the first metatarsal is a ‘Z’-osteotomy with inherent stability. The convalescence is short and complications of avascular necrosis and non-union are rarely reported. The combination of soft tissue procedure with the osteotomy consistently gives good correction of hallux valgus. Methods and Results. The records, radiographs were reviewed and the subjective assessment by telephone interview. Forty-one patients had a scarf procedure but only 31 patients (37 scarf procedures) could be contacted by telephone. All patients were females with a mean age of 44.6(16–76) years. Mean follow-up was 14 months(12 to 18 months). The results were reviewed using the guideline recommended by the Research Committee of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Mean preoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) was 30.4°(20–48°) and the postoperative HVA was 14.6°(9–22°). The mean pre-operative intermetatarsal angle (IMA) was 4.1°(10–22°) and postoperatively was 8.4°(5–12°). There was significant correction of the tibia sesamoid position (p=0.001). There was no avascular necrosis or non-union. Eighty-eight percent of patients were satisfied; two patients had infection and two stiff MTP joints. Conclusion. Scarf osteotomy gives very good correction of hallux valgus and tibia sesamoid position. Patient satisfaction was good with a low complication rate, the fixation after the osteotomy was very stable and no post-operative splint was required

1. Correction of hallux valgus by spike osteotomy of the neck of the first metatarsal is described, and the results in eighty-two feet are presented. 2. A high proportion of satisfactory results can be obtained, but great care is needed in both selection and technique. 3. The ideal case is one of moderate deformity, without degenerative arthritis, and with symptoms referable to increased width of the forefoot; the operation should not be performed in cases with obvious degenerative change, nor when metatarsalgia is a prominent symptom. 4. It is important to displace the metatarsal head as far laterally as possible, and vital to avoid dorsal angulation or displacement. 5. It is suggested that enough is now known about the natural evolution of hallux valgus and the results of some operations for prophylactic surgery to be undertaken in carefully selected cases

For hallux valgus correction, distal first metatarsal osteotomy is generally used for minor to moderate deformities, diaphyseal osteotomy for moderate deformities and basal osteotomy or fusion for severe deformities. With the advent of locking plates, there has been renewed interest in opening wedge basal osteotomy. As little has been written about its geometry, we undertook this study in order to understand its power and limitations. Proximal opening wedge osteotomies were performed on saw bone models in four orientations, with three different wedge sizes: 1. Perpendicular to the ground (PG); 2. Perpendicular to the shaft (PS); 3. Perpendicular to shaft with 30° declination (DEC); 4. 30° oblique (OB). Pre- and post-osteotomy measurements were made of axial and plantar translation and intermetatarsal angle. Plantar translation and intermetatarsal angle correction increased with increasing wedge size. The DEC osteotomy produced the greatest increase in length of metatarsal shaft, while the PS osteotomy gave the least. The most plantar translation was achieved with the DEC osteotomy. Overall, the PS osteotomy gave the largest correction of the intermetatarsal angle. Although there are several published clinical case series of the proximal opening wedge osteotomy, this is the first study to fully evaluate its geometry

Approximately 40 to 50% of the civilized population may expect feet disorders, and in 90% localized in the forefoot. Hallux valgus (H.V.) deformity is not a single malformation, but a complex problem affecting the first ray of foot, frequently accompanied by deformities and symptoms of the lesser toes. Proximal osteotomy and soft tissue release of I metatarso-phalangeal joint (MTP) provides adequate correction of intermetatarsal angle and joint alignment. Material and methods. 65 patients (59 women and 6 men) with 83 hallux valgus deformities treated by surgical corrections with cuneiform proximal osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone and soft tissue plasty of I MTP joint were evaluated. The average age of the patients was 52,8 years (±12,4) and the mean follow-up was 4,2 years (±1,0). Mann criteria were used to assess the radiological stage of the disease. Treatment results were assessed by means of two numerical scales: Mielke scale and AOFAS scale. On the basis of the sum of points obtained for each criteria, the treatment result was qualified as: excellent, good, fair or poor. In the radiological assessment the alteration of the valgus angle (HVA) and the intermetatarsal angle (IMA) of the hallux were evaluated. Results. Exacerbation of hallux valgus deformity in radiological examination was moderate or severe in accordance to the Mann criteria. 21 feet accompanied by deformities of lesser toes had additionally surgical procedure for the treatment of them. According to Mielkie scale the mean score was 6,5pts. (±1,9), and the treatment result of 95% of patients was evaluated as excellent or good. The mean score in AOFAS scale was 91,2pts (±11,2) with percentage of 80,6% excellent and good results. Higher percentage of fair and poor results in AOFAS scale was due to restricted motion of first MTP joint in 8 patients, out of whom due to persistent pain ailments in 6. In case of 4 feet, cosmetic improvement was unsatisfactory, and 4 patients had problems with wearing commercial shoes. Average correction value of the hallux valgus angle was 21° (33,5° to 12,5°). Foot intermetatarsal angle correction was 9° (16,2° to 7,2°). Conclusions. Proximal osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone with soft tissue release of I metatarso-phalangeal joint allows for good correction of the hallux valgus deformity with good functional results

The Kramer osteotomy for hallux valgus deformity was described in 1990 and has been performed by the senior author in our unit since 1999. The procedure involves a wedge excision of bone and lateral displacement of the first metatarsal head. The osteotomy is splinted by a K-wire passed medially to the phalanges and metatarsal head into the metatarsal diaphysis. During the period October 1999 to December 2001 this procedure was performed on 26 feet in 24 patients. Case notes were reviewed retrospectively to assess the subjective outcome following the operation. Patients were invited to attend a follow up clinic to assess the outcome using the Hallux Metatarsal-Interphalangeal Scale (HMIS) of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and weight bearing radiographs of the foot. Twelve patients (13 feet) were seen at this follow up. Discharge from hospital was on the day following surgery in 20/24 patients with three days maximum stay. K-wires and plaster boots were left in situ for 41 days on average (30–50 days range). From the case notes, using absence of hallux pain, deformity, hallux stiffness and footwear problems as outcome measures, 20 feet (77%) had a good outcome, five feet (19%) had a fair outcome and one foot (4%) had a poor outcome. At the follow up clinic at a mean time from operation of 134 weeks (range 56–153 weeks), the average HMIS score was 86/100 (Range 60–100) with 77% scoring 85 or more out of 100. Average postoperative intermetatarsal, hallux valgus and distal metatarsal articular angles were 6.9, 15.8 and 11 degrees respectively. Other than six cases of minor infection of skin, treated empirically with antibiotics, no other complications were seen. All patients were happy they had received this treatment. In conclusion the Kramer osteotomy is a technically simple operation which gives good results with few complications

Introduction. Hallux valgus is a common orthopaedic complaint with multiple surgical options. There are many methods available for assessing whether sufficient translation of the first metatarsal can be achieved with a metatarsal translational osteotomy alone. None of the current methods take into account the breadth of the metatarsal. With current PACS technology a radiograph can be zoomed to any size and we postulate that by using the surgeon's thumb (or any suitable digit), as a sizing tool, a safe clinical decision can be made concerning whether a translational metatarsal osteotomy alone will provide sufficient correction. Method. We reviewed the preoperative radiographs (weightbearing AP) of twenty patients who had scarf and akin osteotomies and twenty patients with a deformity too great for scarf and akin osteotomies. The senior author (CC) taught the rule of thumb to one consultant and two registrars (total two registrars and two consultants). The radiographs were blindly randomised and the participants assessed each radiograph and decided whether sufficient translation could be achieved with a translational metatarsal osteotomy alone. The process was repeated three months later. Twenty patients were deemed sufficient for intra-user variability and significance based on a recent JBJS(A) article concerning radiographic measurements post proximal crescentic osteotomy (Shima et al. 2009). Results. Good inter- and intra- user variability was demonstrated and using the rule of thumb is a safe way of determining whether a distal osteotomy alone will provide sufficient correction

Purpose: We are often tempted to set aside (forget?) a certain number of cases we treated during our “learning curve”. We decided to review our first 56 cases of Scarf osteotomies five years after surgery. We detailed outcome, failures, and current modifications of the surgical technique. Material and methods: End 1991 beginning 1992, we performed Scarf osteotomy on the first metatarsal in 56 feet for correction of hallux valgus in 33 patients aged 22 to 73 yeas (mean 49.7 years). Metatarso-phalangeal deviation of the first row was 20° to 70° (mean 38.5°) associated with metatarus varus from 12° to 24° (mean 16.6°). There were seven types of hallus valgus. Sesamoid deviation was classed in five categories. There were 20, 15 and 19 Greek, square and Egyptian feet respectively. Associated procedures included 26 osteotomies of the first phalanx of the great toe: twelve for angulation, ten for shortening, and six for angulation and shortening. For the other rows, there were five Gauthier osteotomies of the neck of the second metatarsal for overload syndrome of the second row and one Gauthier osteotomy of the second and third metatarsals for metatarso-phalangeal dislocation. Results: The patient-assessed subjective result deteriorated with time: excellent 36 (64.2%), good 18 (32.1%), fair 2 (3.7%) at one year and excellent 32 (57.2%), good 15 (26.7%), fair 7 (12.5%), mediocre 1 (2.6%) at five years. Objective results for deformations were: postoperative metatarso-phalangeal angle of the first row 10° to 35° (mean 19°) and metatarsus varus 10° to 18° (mean 11.3°). The morphological result was practically acquired at one year, there was little further accentuation of the deformation with time. There was a clear improvement of the sesamoid position. These positive results cannot mask seven cases with angles of 30° and three with 35°. There was no case of hallux varus in this series. There were two “failures” requiring revision, one for recurrent and bothersome bone deformation and the other for metatarsalgia that developed only after correction of the hallux valgus. Discussion, conclusion: This review disclosed two problems: insufficient correction and the development of postoperative metatarsalgia. The defective corrections were attributed to insufficient translation in the early cases and to the osteotomy which did not lower (or even raise) the metatarsal head. We have changed the osteotomy line in order to widen the translation surface and also to lower more the metatarsal head

When performing scarf osteotomies some surgeons use intraoperative radiography and others do not. Our experience is that when using intraoperative radiography we often change the osteotomy position to improve the correction of the hallux valgus angle and sesamoid position.

We report the results of a single surgeon series of 62 consecutive patients who underwent a scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus. The first 31 patients underwent surgery without the use of intraoperative radiographs and the subsequent 31 patients underwent surgery with the use of intraoperative radiographs, this reflects a change in the surgeons practice. Hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle and sesamoid position using the Hardy Clapham grading system were recorded. All patients had measurements recorded from weight baring radiographs taken pre operatively as well as at 6 and 12 weeks post operatively. Intraoperative measurements were also recorded for all patients in the intraoperative radiography group.

The mean hallux valgus angle preoperatively was 28.5° in the control group and 30.5° in the intraoperative radiography group. The mean hallux valgus angle in the control group at 6 weeks was 12.4° and at 12 weeks was 12.6°. The mean hallux valgus angle in the intraoperative radiography group at 6 weeks was 10.5° and at 12 weeks was 9.8°.

The median sesamoid position pre operatively was 4 for both groups. At 6 and 12 weeks the sesamoid position improved by a median of 1 position in the control group and 2 positions in the intraoperative radiography group (p<0.05).

We recommend that surgeons who do not routinely use intraoperative radiography undertake a trial of this. We have found that the use of intraoperative radiography improves the correction of hallux valgus angle and sesamoid position. These have been shown to increase patient satisfaction and reduce recurrence.