Modified minimal incision subcapital osteotomy for hallux valgus correction

The potential advantages of minimal incision surgery for hallux valgus (HV) correction are the following: reduced surgical exposure, diminished soft-tissue stripping, and less blood supply impairment. These advantages imply fewer complications. We retrospectively reviewed patients who were consecutively treated with a modified minimally invasive osteotomy from January 2006 until December 2009 for HV deformity. We radiographically assessed the HV angle, 1-2 intermetatarsal (IM) angle, and tibial sesamoid position. Clinical outcomes were determined using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal (AOFAS HMI) Clinical Rating Scale. A paired Student's t test was used to determine significance, with P < .01. There were 126 patients (146 feet) with an average age of 52.6 years and an average postoperative follow-up of 29.1 months. Preoperatively, the average HV angle was 32.3°, and postoperatively, it was 4.5° (P < .01). The preoperative average IM angle was 14.4°, whereas postoperatively, it was 4.8° (P < .01). The average tibial sesamoid position was 6.3 preoperatively and 2.5 postoperatively (P < .01). The average AOFAS HMI score was 54.6 preoperatively and 85.3 postoperatively (P < .01). There were 15 postoperative complications (10.3%) that included hallux varus, painful hardware, and delayed union. The results are comparable with those of traditional open techniques, with the additional advantages of a minimally invasive procedure.