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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery
Published on: February 17, 2018
Quality-of-life outcome after hallux valgus surgery
Carlos Saro1, Irene Jensen, Urban Lindgren
1Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Division of Orthopaedics, Karolinska Institute at Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden. carlos.saro@ki.se
Objective:
To assess the quality of life before and after hallux valgus surgery.
Methods:
A longitudinal study with 94 consecutive patients undergoing hallux valgus surgery. Assessments were made preoperatively and at 12 month postoperatively. Measures used were the quality of life (QoL) according to SF-36, a disease specific score (the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's clinical rating system for the hallux), the severity of the deformity, the possibility of wearing the preferred choice of shoes and satisfaction with the treatment. The pre- and postoperative QoL scores were compared with the score in the general population.
Results:
QoL outcomes improved significantly postoperatively regarding bodily pain, vitality, mental health and the mental component summary. The correction of the deformity did not affect the QoL. Regardless of the extent of correction, the choice of shoeware and the degree of satisfaction with surgery were associated with a better QoL.
Conclusions:
Hallux valgus patients have worse pain than the general population. Surgery produces a significant improvement in the quality of life. The severity of the deformity did not influence the QoL, however; the free choice of shoeware and the degree of satisfaction with the surgery had a positive effect on the QoL outcome. SF-36 is a relevant tool for evaluating outcome in hallux valgus surgery.
