[Translated article] Patient satisfaction after radiological recurrence hallux valgus

Recurrence of the deformity is the most common complication following hallux valgus (HV) surgery correction. The factors influencing patient satisfaction after HV surgery are currently widely debated. The aims of this study was to investigate the association of the radiological recurrence of the HV deformity after distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) and the patient satisfaction.

One hundred twenty patients (134 feet) with symptomatic moderate or severe HV deformity who underwent distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) at our institution between 2014 and 2019 were included in the present study. Each patient was evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively and at final follow-up by means of radiographs lateral and dorsoplantar views. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) was analyzed to define radiologic recurrence. Radiologic HV recurrence was defined by a final HVA equal or greater than 20°. Data were collected retrospectively. The patient satisfaction after surgery was evaluated the last consultation by the PASS (patient acceptable symptom state).

The mean follow-up time was 23.65 months (range 6-69.4). The recurrence rate was 76.1%. All patients completed the PASS question at the last consultation. Of them, 105/134 (78.36%) patients considered their current state satisfactory and only 29/134 (21.64%) unsatisfactory.

In our cohort, we found no association between radiological recurrence of the HV deformity and patient satisfaction at final follow-up. Patient satisfaction after HV surgery seems to be a complex concept and not explained completely by adequate deformity correction.