title: Do weight-bearing films affect decision making in hallux valgus surgery?
abstract: Hallux valgus is a complex deformity of the first ray and forefoot that can be surgically treated using different procedures and osteotomies. Preoperative planning includes anteroposterior and lateral plain films. The effect of weight-bearing on the results of the standardized measurements is still the subject of debate. We evaluated the effect of weight-bearing on the results of measurements and decision making by expert evaluators. A total of 21 foot and ankle surgeons were given weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing anteroposterior plain foot films of patients with hallux valgus. They were asked to measure 3 standard angles and then to select the most appropriate procedure from a short list. Using a paired Student's t test, no difference in the angles measured nor in the procedures chosen was detected between the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing films. Although it is generally accepted that decisions regarding the treatment of hallux valgus should be based on plain weight-bearing films, in the present study, we established that non-weight-bearing films can reliably be used to choose the surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel. alonb@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: Ori
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hadash
authors.forename: Yehezkel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tytiun
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salai
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dudkiewicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult