[The modified Ludloff osteotomy for correction of severe metatarsus primus varus with hallux valgus deformity]

The present study investigates the clinical and radiological mid-term results of the modified Ludloff osteotomy, a proximal metatarsal osteotomy for surgical correction of severe metatarsus primus varus with hallux valgus deformity.

70 feet in 67 patients from 25 to 78 years (average age 56 years) were included in this prospective study. The patients were evaluated with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal score, which was used preoperatively and at an average follow-up of 37 +/- 6 months. Weight-bearing foot radiographs were analysed according to AOFAS guidelines and statistical evaluation was made with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

The average AOFAS score improved significantly (p < 0.0001) from 55.2 +/- 15.2 points preoperatively to 86.6 +/- 15.2 points at follow-up. Preoperatively, all patients complained of pain (20.2 +/- 9.6 points) which had improved significantly (p < 0.0001) at the latest follow-up (37.3 +/- 5.7 points). The average hallux valgus angle (HVA) was 37 +/- 8 degrees preoperatively and improved significantly to 12 +/- 11 degrees at follow-up (p = 0.0001). The intermetatarsal angle (IMA) improved significantly from 18 +/- 2 degrees preoperatively to 8 degrees +/- 4 degrees after 37 +/- 6 months (p = 0.0002). The sesamoid position improved significantly from preoperative to follow-up (p = 0.0003). Radiographic evaluation of the patients indicated that all examined osteotomies had healed after 37 +/- 6 months.

This prospective investigation at intermediate follow-up using currently available outcome measures suggests that the Ludloff osteotomy is a suitable procedure for the surgical correction of severe metatarsus primus varus (IMA > 15 degrees ) with hallux valgus deformity.