Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery
Published on: February 17, 2018
HALLUX VALGUS ANATOMICAL ALTERATIONS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH THE RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS
Cristina Schmitt Cavalheiro1, Marcel Henrique Arcuri1, Victor Reis Guil1
1Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, School of Medical Sciences and Health, Graduate Training Program in Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
To describe the anatomical and pathological osteoarticular, muscular and tendinous variations in feet of cadavers with hallux valgus and to correlate them with the degree of radiographic deformity.
Methods:
Dissections and radiographs were conducted in the feet of 22 cadavers with halux valgus, aged between 20 and 70 years. The feet affected were compared with 5 normal feet in order to document the anatomical and pathological, myotendinous and articular variations found.
Results:
The extensor hallucis longus and brevis tendons were arched in all degrees of deformity, causing a lateral deviation that forms the arc chord of the metatarsophalangeal angle of the hallux. We also observed a deviation to the plantar face of the abductor muscle tendon and lateral deviation of the flexor hallucis muscle tendon. In the moderate deformities, the medial deviation of the first metatarsal head was observed, sliding out of the sesamoid apparatus, pronation of this head, and formation of medial exostoses. In severe deformities, in addition to all other deformities, we found the extensor hallucis longus tendon with two distal insertions, rather than just one.
Conclusion:
The anatomical alterations found in the hallux valgus may be related to the degree of radiographic deformity

