Seventeen patients (20 feet) underwent Weil osteotomies of the second and third metatarsals for the treatment of central metatarsalgia and were reviewed at an average of 18 months postoperatively. Fourteen patients were completely satisfied with the results of their surgery (85%), one patient was satisfied, one patient satisfied with reservations and one patient was dissatisfied. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society clinical rating scale improved by an average of 44 points. One patient had complete recurrence of symptoms, eight out of the 40 toes involved in surgery were floating, four toes were stiff, there were three cases of infection, and transfer metatarsalgia affected the fourth metatarsal in one case. The Weil osteotomy is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of central metatarsalgia.
BackgroundThe Cochrane review of hallux valgus surgery has disputed the scientific validity of hallux valgus research. Scoring systems and surrogate measures such as x-ray angles are commonly reported at just one year post operatively but these are of dubious relevance to the patient. In this study we extended the follow up to a minimum of 8 years and sought to address patient specific concerns with hallux valgus surgery. The long term follow up also allowed a comprehensive review of the complications associated with the combined rotation scarf and Akin osteotomies.MethodsBetween 1996 and 1999, 101 patients underwent rotation scarf and Akin osteotomies for the treatment of hallux valgus. All patients were contacted and asked to participate in this study. 50 female participants were available allowing review of 73 procedures. The average follow up was over 9 years and the average age at the time of surgery was 57. The participants were physically examined and interviewed.ResultsPost-operatively, in 86% of the participants there were no footwear restrictions. Stiffness of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was reported in 8% (6 feet); 10% were unhappy with the cosmetic appearance of their feet, 3 feet had hallux varus, and 2 feet had recurrent hallux valgus. There were no foot-related activity restrictions in 92% of the group. Metatarsalgia occurred in 4% (3 feet). 96% were better than before surgery and 88% were completely satisfied with their post-operative result. Hallux varus was the greatest single cause of dissatisfaction. The most common adverse event in the study was internal fixation irritation. Hallux valgus surgery is not without risk and these findings could be useful in the informed consent process.ConclusionsWhen combined the rotation scarf and Akin osteotomies are an effective treatment for hallux valgus that achieves good long-term correction with a low incidence of recurrence, footwear restriction or metatarsalgia. The nature of the osteotomies allows early return to normal shoes and activity without the need for postoperative immobilisation in a plaster cast.
In a group of 75 patients who had PIP joint arthroplasty for the correction of second hammertoe, high levels of satisfaction were achieved. No serious complications were encountered, and revision surgery was required in just two cases. Floating toe was the most common complication encountered, and although this did decrease the level of patient satisfaction in seven patients it was not a cause of footwear irritation or pain in any patient.
The rotation scarf & Akin osteotomy was an effective procedure for correcting hallux valgus associated with metatarsus adductus. It allowed good realignment of the first MTP joint without the need for lesser metatarsal surgery to reduce the metatarsus adductus.
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