Radiographic evaluation of hallux valgus treated with opening wedge osteotomy.
BACKGROUND
There are many techniques described for treatment of hallux valgus. The role of proximal osteotomies of the 1st metatarsal is well documented. However the opening wedge osteotomy has become less popular in contemporary practice. The purpose of this paper was to report our experience with an opening wedge osteotomy for the treatment of hallux valgus using L-Plate fixation.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients underwent 31 basal opening wedge osteotomies of the first metatarsal. Fixation was achieved with the Arthrex low profile titanium plate. The IMA on the WB radiograph preoperatively, and at least 12 months postoperatively was measured. Four patients received a 3.5-mm plate, 15 received a 4.0-mm plate, and 12 received a 5.0-mm plate.


RESULTS
The 3.5-mm group had a mean preoperative IMA of 13.8 degrees (range, 6 to 18), and postoperative IMA of 5.8 (range, 3 to 8), with a mean correction of 8.0. The 4.0-mm plate group had a mean preoperative IMA of 16.9 (range, 11 to 30) and postoperative IMA of 8.9 (range, 4 to 11) with a mean correction of 9.0. The 5.0-mm plate group had a mean preoperative IMA of 24.7 (range, 15 to 35) and postoperative IMA of 9.8, (range, 3 to 22) with a mean correction of 14.9.


CONCLUSIONS
We report on a successful method for correcting hallux valgus with a basilar first metatarsal opening wedge osteotomy. It was highly effective for correcting moderate to severe intermetatarsal deformities.
Randhawa
Sunil
S
Royal Newcastle Centre, NSW Australia, 23 Milton St, Hamilton NSW 2303, Australia. sunil.randhawa@ausdoctors.net
Pepper
Dean
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult