Surgical management of foot disorders: bunions and bunionettes

Pathologic conditions of the metatarsophalangeal joints comprise the majority of painful conditions of the forefoot. Clinical manifestations commonly include hallux valgus (bunion), bunionette ("tailor's bunion"), and metatarsalgia. Conservative treatment remains the hallmark of initial management of these disorders. Conservative measures emphasize the adequate accommodation of the forefoot within the toe box of the shoe and the even distribution of plantar pressures by various metatarsal pads or bars and soft insoles. Numerous and sometimes controversial surgical procedures have been developed when conservative measures fail to achieve significant pain relief. In general, these procedures can be grouped as 1) soft tissue realignment procedures, 2) bony realignment procedures, 3) combined bony and soft tissue realignment procedures (ie, osteotomy), 4) bony and joint resection, 5) arthrodesis techniques, and 6) Silastic joint replacement techniques.