Prevention and treatment of hallux valgus

In hallux valgus, one of the most common conditions affecting the forefoot, the first metatarsophalangeal joint is progressively subluxed due to lateral deviation of the hallux and medial deviation of the first metatarsal. Patients usually complain of medial prominence pain, commonly referred to as "bunion pain," plantar keratotic lesions, and lesser toe deformities such as hammer toe or claw toe deformities. The etiology of hallux valgus is multifactorial. Narrow high-heeled shoes or excessive weight-bearing have been suggested to be extrinsic factors contributing to the condition, and many other intrinsic factors also exist, such as genetics, ligamentous laxity, metatarsus primus varus, pes planus, functional hallux limitus, sexual dimorphism, age, metatarsal morphology, first-ray hypermobility, and tight Achilles tendon. When we evaluate patients with hallux valgus, careful history taking and meticulous examination are necessary. On the radiographic evaluation, we routinely measure the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, and distal metatarsal articular angle, which are valuable parameters in decision making for bunion surgery. To prevent the development and progression of hallux valgus, a soft leather shoe with a wide toe box is usually recommended. The use of a toe separator or bunion splint may help in relieving symptoms. The purpose of hallux valgus surgery is to correct the deformity and maintain a biomechanically functional foot. When we decide on an adequate surgical option, we should consider the patient's subjective symptoms, the expectations of the patient, the degree of the de-formity, and the radiographic measurements in order to correct the deformity and prevent complications after surgery.

Surgical Treatment of Congenital Brachymetatarsia According to the Number of Affected Rays / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To present our treatment protocol and surgical outcome for patients with congenital brachymetatarsia in which treatment was decided according to the number of affected rays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine metatarsals in 44 patients with single or multiple congenital brachymetatarsia were included in the study. When a single ray was affected in a foot, we performed a one-stage lengthening using an intercalary autogenous iliac bone graft. We overcame excessively short rays by the double level lengthening at the metatarsal and proximal phalanx as one stage. When multiple rays were affected in one foot, we performed a one-stage combined shortening and lengthening procedure without an iliac bone graft. RESULTS: All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results. The average length gain by one-stage lengthening in 56 metatarsals of 38 patients was 14 (6-21) mm. Six patients with a combined shortening and lengthening procedure regained a nearly normal parabola of the involved foot. Neurovascular complication was not identified. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results were achieved for the treatment of patients with congenital brachymetatarsia, by individualizing the surgical options according to the number of affected rays and general foot appearance.