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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery
Published on: February 17, 2018
The Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Capsule: An Anatomic Study With Respect to Percutaneous Hallux Valgus Correction
Kenneth M Chin1, Nicholas S Richardson2, John T Campbell3
1Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Background:
Minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of hallux valgus deformities has become increasingly popular. Knowledge of the location of the hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP) proximal capsular origin on the metatarsal neck is essential for surgeons in planning and executing extracapsular corrective osteotomies. A cadaveric study was undertaken to further study this anatomic relationship.
Methods:
Ten nonpaired fresh-frozen frozen cadaveric specimens were used for this study. Careful dissection was performed, and the capsular origin of the hallux MTP joint was measured from the central portion of the metatarsal head in the medial, lateral, dorsal, plantarmedial, and plantarlateral dimensions.
Results:
The ten specimens had a mean age of 77 years, with 5 female and 5 male. The mean distances from the central hallux metatarsal head to the MTP capsular origin were 15.2 mm dorsally, 8.4 mm medially, 9.6 mm laterally, 19.3 mm plantarmedially, and 21.0 mm plantarlaterally.
Conclusion:
The MTP capsular origin at the hallux metatarsal varies at different anatomic positions. Knowledge of this capsular anatomy is critical for orthopaedic surgeons when planning and performing minimally invasive distal metatarsal osteotomies for the correction of hallux valgus.
Type Of Study:
Cadaveric Study.
