title: Sensory Nerve Dysfunction and Hallux Valgus Correction: A Prospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensory nerve dysfunction in patients with hallux valgus has been described as both a symptom of the deformity and a complication of the treatment. The purpose of this study was to quantify nerve dysfunction in hallux valgus patients and to prospectively evaluate whether the trauma of surgery or the correction of the deformity had any effect on the sensory nerve function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven consecutive feet undergoing operative correction for hallux valgus were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative and 3-, 6-, and 24-month postoperative clinical, radiographic, and detailed sensory examinations were completed. For the sensory examination, a Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 monofilament was used to establish, if present, a geometric area of sensory deficit about the hallux. This area was traced onto calibrated graphing paper and processed with imaging software. A total of 48/57 (84%) went on to complete 24 months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative sensory area deficit improved by a mean of 529 mm2at 24-month follow-up. The mean preoperative sensory deficit area was 688 mm2(SD 681 mm2, range: 0 to 2885 mm2) and 24-month postoperative sensory deficit area was 159 mm2(SD 329 mm2, range: 0 to 1463 mm2). No clinically significant correlation existed between deficit and clinical outcome measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that preoperative sensory deficits exist, and can improve up to 24 months after operative correction of the hallux valgus deformity. This supports the concept that sensory deficit in hallux valgus is at least partially caused by a reversible injury to the sensory nerves, not necessarily a complication of surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, case series.
authors.affiliation: Borgess Orthopedics, Kalamazoo, MI, USA jrjast@gmail.com.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jastifer
authors.affiliation: Saint Alphonsus Coughlin Foot & Ankle Clinic, Boise, ID, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coughlin
authors.affiliation: UT-Erlanger Foot and Ankle Institute, Chattanooga, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Jesse F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Doty
authors.affiliation: Tri-City Orthopaedics, Kennewick, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Faustin R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: Saint Alphonsus Coughlin Foot & Ankle Clinic, Boise, ID, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.affiliation: Allied Orthopaedics, Boise, ID, USA.
authors.forename: Travis J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kemp
keywords: hallux valgus; sensory dysfunction