Early results of the modified Simmonds-Menelaus procedure for adolescent hallux valgus

Adolescent hallux valgus is a common problem, and there is no agreement about the best surgical technique to use to correct this deformity. Excellent results have been reported with a distal soft tissue procedure and an associated osteotomy at the base of the first metatarsal. The current study reports the early results of using an incomplete osteotomy at the base of the first metatarsal. No hardware was used to fix the osteotomy, and the postoperative immobilization was shorter. The study included 20 feet in 11 female patients. All osteotomies healed primarily without complications. The average preoperative hallux valgus of 31.2 degrees was reduced to 17.8 degrees at a minimum of 2 years follow-up. The average intermetatarsal angle improved from 13.5 degrees in the preoperative period to 11.3 degrees. Using the duPont bunion rating score as an outcome assessment, the authors had 4 excellent and 16 good results.