Variation in practitioner-measured x-ray angles in hallux abducto valgus evaluation

Angular measurements taken on preoperative hallux abducto valgus x-rays have been relied upon heavily by surgeons in helping to determine the nature and extent of the deformity, as well as a guide for selecting the most appropriate surgical procedure for correction. The reliability of measuring these angles among different physicians has never been tested, to these authors' knowledge. Therefore, this study is designed to measure the variation in values for the five basic angles among a group of podiatrists with varying capabilities, training, and experiences, and demonstrates that preoperative radiographic measurements may not be an accurate reflection of the general degree of pathology about the first metatarsophalangeal joint.