Proximal phalanx osteotomy for the surgical treatment of hallux rigidus

This study reviewed 17 patients (24 great toes) treated by a single surgeon for hallux rigidus with a dorsal-closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx in conjunction with a moderate cheilectomy. The average age of patients was 47 years (range, 20-69 years). The minimum follow-up was 1 year (range, 1-16 years; median follow-up, 30 months), and all but five patients were studied for 2 years or more. Ninety-six percent of patients affirmed their decision to have surgery if they had to make the choice again. Subjectively, all patients improved. Preoperatively, 67% of the cases had severe pain by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society criteria. Postoperatively, 58% had no pain and 42% had mild pain. There was 100% union rate of the osteotomy. Seven of 10 women and 1 of 7 men still had some restrictions on footwear options postoperatively. Recovery time from the patients' perspective was 2 to 12 months (average, 5.6 months). Based on the results of this study, the authors suggest that the addition of a dorsal-closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx increases patient satisfaction, compared with their review of patients treated by cheilectomy alone. The procedure provides good pain relief and has few complications.