Management of the second and third metatarsal in moderate and severe hallux valgus

Hallux valgus is a common disorder of the forefoot that results from medial deviation of the first metatarsal and lateral deviation and/or rotation of the great. The management of hallux valgus is usually focused on the malalignment of the first ray, however, some patients report that pain at the plantar aspect of second and/or third metatarsal head(s) is more severe than the first metatarsophalangeal joint. In order to alleviate the metatarsalgia, we developed an oblique sliding osteotomy to manage the second metatarsal. This article reports the results of 17 feet that were treated with oblique sliding osteotomy. Average patient age was 55.3 years. The transverse arch of all patients had sagged, and all patients had painful calluses below the lesser metatarsals. Functional outcome was evaluated with the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, proximal articular and distal articular set angles, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scoring system. The mean hallux valgus angle was 37.6 degrees preoperatively and 13.2 degrees postoperatively (mean correction, 24.4 degrees) and the mean intermetatarsal angle was 14.6 degrees preoperatively and 6.8 degrees postoperatively (mean correction, 8.8 degrees). American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores improved from an average of 58 preoperatively to 87 postoperatively. Based on appearance and function, the outcomes of 16 feet were satisfactory. Pain of the forefoot was ameliorated and Mielke scores of 14 feet were either very good or good (82.3%) and satisfactory for 2 feet. Final follow-up was an average of 16 months and all patients were ambulating normally. We thus conclude that this surgical technique is effective in patients with moderate or severe hallux valgus.