[Short-term results of proximal oblique crescentic osteotomy in hallux valgus]

We evaluated the short-term results of a combination of distal soft tissue procedure and a modification of proximal crescentic osteotomy, namely, proximal oblique crescentic osteotomy (POCO) in moderate to severe hallux valgus.

Twenty-five male patients (mean age 21 years; range 19 to 26 years) with moderate to severe hallux valgus and incongruent joint were treated by the distal soft tissue procedure and POCO. Objective evaluations included the hallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal angle, shortening of the first metatarsal bone, and angulation at the osteotomy site on weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the foot obtained before surgery and for final examinations. Subjective evaluation was made with the use of a patient questionnaire whose overall scores ranged from 6 (completely satisfied) to 18 (completely dissatisfied). The mean follow-up period was 44 weeks (range 28 to 52 weeks).

The mean corrections in the hallux valgus angle and the intermetatarsal angle were 22.1 degrees and 10.8 degrees, respectively. Shortening of the first metatarsal bone (mean 3 mm) occurred in five patients and dorsiflexion deformity of the metatarsal head in one patient, which did not lead to transfer metatarsalgia. Nine patients expressed complete satisfaction (36%), followed by seven and six patients with scores of 7 and 8, respectively. The least satisfaction score was 12 in one patient.

The results suggest that metatarsus primus varus, which is the main deformity in moderate to severe hallux valgus, can be corrected by POCO. This technique may be preferable in terms of ease and a low complication rate.