Correlation between hallux valgus angle and age

A study was made of the relationship between the hallux valgus angle and age. Between January 1983 and June 1985, 464 hallux valgus operations were performed on 404 patients at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Huddinge Hospital. The mean age of the patients was 54 +/- 12 years (range 16 to 75). The patients were divided into six groups with regard to nature and extent of radiographic changes. Linear regression analysis was used for analysis of the correlation between age and hallux valgus angle. A significant correlation was found in group 1: hallux valgus grade 1, type I (great toe rotated, slight bunion) and group 6: hallux valgus grade 2, type III (great toe rotated, severe bunion and severe arthrosis). There was a large scatter around the lines, however, which means that age is poor predictor of the hallux valgus angle.