[Selected anatomical features of the foot with hallux valgus]

Hallux valgus is still an open problem consists of many unexplained questions related to, not only its etiopathogenesis and biomechanics but also to treatment of this deformity. The purpose of investigation: 1) To find out hallux valgus predisposing factors; 2) To recognise anatomic features of the foot in hallux valgus patients, basing on orthopaedic physical examination as well as to find out the frequency of the occurrence of foot skeleton disorders in rentgenometric and plantoconturographic (foot prints) measurements. 335 feet in 173 patients (females) treated operatively due to hallux valgus in Orthopaedic Department of Wrocław Medical Academy in years 1980-1994 were examined. Those patients were operated on according to Keller, Dega and McBride method. All the patients underwent preoperative orthopaedic physical examination as well as rentgenographic and plantoconturographic one. Such factors as heredity and Egyptian shape of the foot as well as metatarsal index "plus" were recognised as hallux valgus predisposing factors. Most of the parameters evaluated in orthopaedic, rentgenographic and plantocontourographic examination presented pathologic values that indicated pathology within foot in hallux valgus patients.