title: EVALUATION OF THE INTERMETATARSAL ANGLE AFTER THE ARTHRODESIS OF THE FIRST METATARSOPHALANGEAL JOINT FOR TREATMENT OF THE HALLUX VALGUS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the correction of the intermetatarsal angle after arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the hallux. We believe that varus deformity of the first metatarsal can be corrected after arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, without the need for proximal osteotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three feet of patients who had undergone arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint between May 1997 and October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed by means of radiographs. The mean length of follow-up was 58 months. Measurements on the metatarsophalangeal angle, intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid dislocation were made using radiographs made before, immediately after and later on after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean metatarsophalangeal angle was 37.6 degrees preoperatively, 12.8 degrees immediately after the operation and 16.4 degrees later on after the operation. The mean intermetatarsal angle was 16 degrees preoperatively, 10 degrees immediately after the operation and 10.2 degrees later on after the operation. Regarding sesamoid dislocation, preoperative radiographs showed most feet to be classified as G3; immediately after the operation, most were classified as G2; and later on after the operation, most were G1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid dislocation improved with arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, without the need for osteotomy at the base of the first metatarsal.
authors.affiliation: Attending Physician in the Foot and Ankle Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Túlio
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Douglas Lobato Lopes
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Henrique
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.affiliation: Head of the Foot and Ankle Group, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Cardenuto
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
keywords: Arthrodesis; Hallux Valgus; Metatarsophalangeal Joint