Modified chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Podiatric Medicine
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Hallux valgus is a common foot deformity causing pain and cosmetic concerns.
• Traditional surgical methods like Mitchell and chevron osteotomies have varying degrees of success.
• A need exists for procedures offering improved stability and faster patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of a modified chevron osteotomy technique.
• To assess pain relief, cosmetic results, and radiographic improvements in hallux valgus patients.
• To compare the modified procedure's outcomes with existing osteotomy methods.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-nine modified chevron osteotomies were performed on 17 patients with symptomatic hallux valgus.
• Postoperative pain, cosmesis, and radiographic measurements (intermetatarsal and metatarsophalangeal angles) were assessed.
• Recovery time, including duration of immobilization and return to normal footwear, was recorded.

Main Results:

• Excellent pain relief was achieved in all patients, with only minor discomfort in two cases.
• Significant average reductions were observed: 4 degrees in the intermetatarsal angle and 13 degrees in the metatarsophalangeal angle.
• The modified procedure demonstrated comparable results to standard osteotomies but with enhanced mechanical stability.

Conclusions:

• The modified chevron osteotomy is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic hallux valgus.
• Increased mechanical stability allows for reduced postoperative immobilization and faster functional recovery.
• This technique offers a favorable alternative for hallux valgus correction, improving patient outcomes.