The Effect of Hallux Valgus Surgery on Quality of Life

Health-related quality of life (QOL) is defined as a patient's subjective perception of his or her own health. Insufficient data exist on QOL of patients who undergo a hallux valgus (HV) operation. We used a 36-item short form survey (SF-36) to measure QOL of such patients. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of HV on QOL and to identify QOL determinants.

Fifty patients who underwent surgery for HV between 2015 and 2017 were included in the study. The SF-36 questionnaire was applied to the patients before and after surgery. Patients' medical records were examined to identify possible factors affecting QOL such as age, gender, body mass index, duration of symptoms, or smoking.

The mean age of the patients was 55.6 ± 3.8 years, and 42 of the 50 patients were women. The mean duration of disease was 12 ± 3.7 years. The surgery improved QOL scores for general health, emotional well-being, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, physical functioning and bodily pain. However, the changes in scores for vitality and social functioning were not statistically significant. Lower postoperative QOL scores for emotional well-being and bodily pain were significantly associated with age and duration of the symptoms. Compared to the mean QOL of healthy adult Turkish population, all scores in subdimensions were lower.

This study shows that HV in adults has a negative impact on general health, bodily pain, physical functioning, physical and emotional well-being rather than social well-being and vitality.