Compression Screw Fixation for First Metatarsal Basal Osteotomy

Abstract

Proximal osteotomy and distal soft tissue correction is recommended for correction of severe hallux valgus deformity. Basal closing wedge osteotomy is inherently unstable, and there is a tendency for dorsal displacement of the distal fragment. This has led many surgeons to attempt a variety of fixation techniques to counteract this instability, including AO-cortical and cancellous screws, K-wires, and shape-memory staples. 1 – 3 The Acutrak® screw (Acumed. Inc., Beaverton, Oregon) has been used to fix tibial spine avulsions and scaphoid fractures 5 but was not previously reported in hallux valgus surgery. We used a modified closing wedge basal osteotomy technique with Acutrak cannulated compression screw in order to add stability to the osteotomy.