Operative Treatment of Traumatic Hallux Valgus in Elite Athletes.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic hallux valgus is an increasingly common injury in the athletic population and represents a unique variant of turf toe. Failure to appropriately recognize and treat these injuries can lead to continued pain, decreased performance, progressive deformities, and ultimately degeneration of the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint. Limited literature currently exists to assist in the diagnosis, management, and operative treatment.


METHODS
Nineteen patients were reviewed in this series, including 12 National Football League, 6 college, and 1 high school player who was a college prospect. The average age for all patients at the time of surgery was 24.4 years (range, 19-33 years). Return to play and complications were evaluated.


RESULTS
Overall, good operative results were obtained, with 74% of patients returning to their preinjury level of play at an average recovery time of 3.4 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Traumatic hallux valgus is an increasingly common injury in the athletic population and represents a unique variant of turf toe. The impact of this injury cannot be overstated, as one-quarter of players were unable to return to play.


METHODS
Level IV, case series.
1 OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA.
D Jeff
DJ
Covell
1 OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Craig R
CR
Lareau
1 OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA.|2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Robert B
RB
Anderson
D056352:Athletes; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008683:Metatarsophalangeal Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications
athlete; bunion; sports; traumatic hallux valgus; turf toe