[Sequential lateral soft-tissue release of the big toe: an anatomic trial]

Lateral release is a substantial component of the distal soft tissue procedure, which plays a major role in the framework of the lapidus-fusion and the near-to-basis osteotomy in the hallux valgus surgery. The extent of release which is reached during this procedure is controversially discussed. The goal of this anatomic study was the evaluation of the effect of the sequential disconnection of lateral contraction structures on the alignment of the large toe.

On 8 anatomical hallux valgus preparations in which each foot was fastened in a holding device under defined continuous lateral pull, the soft tissue at the lateral aspect of the large toe was surgically split in the following sequential order: the lateral joint capsule, the tendon of the adductor hallucis muscle and afterwards the transverse metatarsal ligament. Before each procedure an X-ray was taken. We documented the different changes of the hallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal 1/2 angle as well as the proximal and distal articulation angles.

The hallux valgus angle was predominantly and significantly improved by capsule splitting and tenotomy of the tendon of the adductor hallucis muscle. A significant correction of the intermetatarsal angle did not take place however.

It was shown that the substantial element of an effective distal soft tissue procedure for hallux valgus is the splitting of the capsule. The disconnection of the transverse metatarsal ligament did not lead to a further correction and can therefore be neglected.