Correlation of Loss of Correction With Postoperative Radiological Factors After Distal Chevron Osteotomy in Dependence of Concomitant Akin Osteotomy

Outcomes following modified chevron osteotomy combined with akin osteotomy for severe hallux valgus: A prospective study

The definitive guideline for the osteotomy technique or the superiority of a particular surgical approach for severe hallux valgus correction remains elusive. Here, we investigated the clinical and radiographic outcomes following modified distal chevron osteotomy coupled with proximal Akin osteotomy to correct severe hallux valgus. A prospective cohort study was performed on 45 patients (62 feet) diagnosed with severe hallux valgus, undergoing the modified distal chevron osteotomy technique described in this study, combined with proximal Akin osteotomy. The radiographic variables: hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle, were measured, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association scoring system was used to assess the clinical curative effect at six weeks and one-year intervals following surgery. Compared to the preoperative assessments, the hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles were significantly decreased, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association score was increased markedly in both postoperative follow-ups. The difference between the variables was comparable at the six-week and one-year postoperative reassessments. No severe surgical complications or recurrences were observed. The combined use of modified distal chevron osteotomy and proximal Akin osteotomy demonstrated favorable therapeutic outcomes and satisfactory surgical correction. The above-mentioned surgical technique can be, therefore, recommended to correct the severe hallux valgus deformity.

Improvement of Valgus Deviation of the Lesser Toes of Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus After Proximal Chevron Metatarsal Osteotomy and Akin Osteotomy

BACKGROUND

This study examines the correction of lesser toe valgus deviation following proximal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (PCMO) and Akin osteotomy in moderate to severe hallux valgus patients, while identifying influencing factors.

METHOD

Among 89 patients (116 feet), those with moderate to severe hallux valgus underwent PCMO and Akin osteotomy. Radiologic assessments included preoperative metatarsus adductus angle (MAA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), valgus angles of the second to fourth metatarsophalangeal joints, and hallux valgus recurrence. Assessments included visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and patient satisfaction over an average follow-up of 30.6 ± 21.2 (range, 12-99) months.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative HVA of 34.4 degrees decreased to 8.7 degrees at final follow-up. The valgus angles of the second, third, and fourth toes improved by 37.1%, 27%, and 44.5%, respectively. In metatarsus adductus patients, lesser toe valgus angles were significantly higher both preoperatively and at final follow-up. Hallux valgus recurrence patients had higher preoperative and final follow-up IMA and valgus angles in the second and third toes. Nonrecurrence patients showed greater decreases in these angles. A larger HVA correction corresponded to a greater decrease in lesser toe valgus deviation. VAS and AOFAS scores improved significantly at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The study found a significant reduction in the valgus angle of the second, third, and fourth toes after PCMO and Akin osteotomy in moderate to severe hallux valgus cases, without additional surgeries on lesser toes. The lesser toe angular reductions were less pronounced in patients with metatarsus adductus or with hallux valgus recurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

Hallux valgus; An observational study on patient characteristics, surgical treatment and pre-operative HRQoL from the Swedish foot and ankle register (Swefoot)

INTRODUCTION

Hallux valgus (HV) is a common condition with impact on pain, function and HrQoL. International consensus does not exist on operative treatment of HV and population-level data regarding surgical treatment of HV is lacking. In this study we aimed to present base-line data from surgically treated HV patients reported to the Swedish register for foot and ankle surgery (Swefoot) during the period 2014-2021.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In total, 7543 feet in 6770 patients were analyzed regarding patient characteristics, grading of HV, surgical procedures and pre-operative PROMs Euroqol-5 Dimension-3 L (EQ-5D-3 L) and Self-reported Foot and Ankle Score (SEFAS).

RESULTS

Median age was 55 years (range 15-91) and 87% were women. The surgeon classified 63% of the cases as moderate HV, 15% as mild and 22% as severe. The Chevron osteotomy was the preferred surgical method and was used in 74% of all cases. Out of these, 58% were fixated with a screw. The Offset-V osteotomy was the most performed shaft osteotomy. Proximal osteotomies and lateral releases were less common. The pre-operative mean EQ-5D-3 L index and SEFAS summary score were low and HV patients with overweight and rheumatoid arthritis had significantly lower scores.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report from Swefoot describing surgeon- and patient reported pre-operative data in patients with surgical treated HV.

Outcomes After Chevron Osteotomy with and Without Additional Akin Osteotomy: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Background

Chevron osteotomy is one of the most common approaches to hallux valgus corrective surgery. This procedure is often combined with Akin osteotomy of the proximal phalanx of the hallux. There are no definitive guidelines specifying the indications for a given osteotomy technique nor data on postoperative loss of correction or the effect of the type of first-ray surgery on the development of adjacent-joint arthritis. The aim of this study was to assess radiographic treatment outcomes via chevron osteotomy with and without Akin osteotomy.

Methods

The study evaluated 117 patients treated in the period 2016-2019. Ninety-nine of those patients underwent distal chevron osteotomy alone, and 18 patients underwent a combined chevron-Akin double osteotomy. The analyzed radiograms had been obtained preoperatively, at 6 weeks after surgery, and after a long-term follow-up. The following parameters were assessed: the intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), interphalangeal angle (IPA), postoperative recurrence of valgus deformity, adjacent-joint arthritis, and complications.

Results

Chevron-Akin osteotomy helped maintain lower HVA and IPA values in long-term follow-up in comparison with those in the patients who underwent chevron osteotomy alone. The chevron osteotomy group showed a significant increase in the mean HVA from 18.37° at the first follow-up visit to 20.81° at the last follow-up visit. There were no differences between the groups in terms of the remaining assessed radiographic parameters. Hallux valgus surgery does not increase adjacent-joint arthritis.

Conclusion

The use of combined chevron-Akin osteotomy does not affect HVA or IMA correction. The combination of chevron and Akin osteotomies reduces the risk of increased HVA and IPA in long-term follow-up. The additional Akin osteotomy does not increase the risk of adjacent-joint arthritis. Combining chevron osteotomy with Akin osteotomy is recommended in hallux valgus deformity correction.

Long Hallucal Tendon Force Vectors and First Metatarsophalangeal Deformity After Hallux Valgus Surgery

BACKGROUND

Recurrence is one of the most common complications following hallux valgus surgery. Moreover, hallux varus occurs in cases of overcorrection. We aimed to quantitatively measure, using radiographic examination, the dynamics of the soft tissues that act on deformities (recurrence of valgus and occurrence of varus) after the surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective single-institution study included 60 patients (98 feet) who underwent hallux valgus surgery between 2009 and 2018. According to radiographic findings of the foot under weightbearing conditions at postoperative month 1, we examined the tendons' pathway and calculated the forces on the first metatarsophalangeal joint, which we termed the deformity force angle (DFA). We compared whether there was a significant difference in DFAs between the groups in which deformities occurred and those in which deformities did not occur after correction. In addition, the DFA was compared to known radiographic measurements of hallux valgus recurrence (hallux valgus angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, intermetatarsal angle, and sesamoid position) to assess association with recurrence.

RESULTS

We observed a significant difference in the DFA between patients with and without hallux valgus recurrence (P < .001) and between those with and without hallux varus (P < .001) based on standing radiographs taken at a minimum of 6 months postoperation. For predicting the deformities, the areas under the curve were 0.863 (hallux valgus recurrence) and 0.831 (hallux varus occurrence), respectively, which was greater than other factors evaluated. The DFA values greater than 9.5 degrees and less than 5.5 degrees were associated with the recurrence of valgus and occurrence of varus, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our study, DFA was associated with hallux valgus recurrence when it exceeded 9.5 degrees and hallux varus when it was less than 5.5 degrees. Moreover, in the hallux valgus surgery we performed, a DFA from 5.5 to 9.5 degrees appeared to be a "safe zone" for preventing early deformity after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic.