Proximal metatarsal osteotomy in hallux valgus

In order to obtain an optimal correction of hallux valgus and to prevent its recurrence, the authors have applied a surgical technique which combines a proximal valgus osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone with an excision of the pseudoexostosis and a distal soft tissue plasty at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The procedure is based on an etiological theory regarding metatarsus primus varus as the primary cause of the deformity, which is in accordance with the opinion of many other authors. The osteotomy corrects the malposition of the first metatarsal bone thereby reducing the deformity and preventing its recurrence. The soft tissue plasty alleviates secondary contractures that prevent a full correction of the big toe. A series of 43 consecutive patients (46 feet) with a follow-up period of 5-44 months and extracted from a total number of 99 operated cases is presented. The result was excellent in 78 per cent, good in 11 per cent and poor in 11 per cent. The reason for a less than excellent result was almost always inadequate correction of the deformity, at the level of the first metatarsal bone, or the big toe, or both.