Hallux varus following scarf osteotomy.

Hallux varus is an uncommon condition and majority of the cases are iatrogenic. It can occur as a result of any type of hallux valgus correction surgery and in our cases scarf osteotomy is not an exception. Treatment of this complication can be challenging and it is important to understand the factors that cause this deformity before embarking on surgical correction. Four cases of hallux varus following Scarf osteotomy (1% of our total Scarf osteotomy cases) and discuss the salient features of these patients. The authors ascertained the factors that caused iatrogenic hallux varus and formulated a classification of the nature of the deformity. The management of iatrogenic hallux varus based on our experience and proposed classification system has also been outlined and discussed.

The treatment of iatrogenic hallux varus.

Though uncommon, iatrogenic hallux varus is most often the result of overresection of the medial eminence, overtranslation of an osteotomy, overrelease of the lateral soft tissues, or overtightening of the medial tissues. It is not always symptomatic, as the degree of deformity can be well tolerated. For soft-tissue reconstructions, releases have little role to play unless minor deformity is detected early on and the longevity of tendon transfer and tenodesis remains unknown. For bony reconstruction, arthrodesis is the recommended salvage technique.

Hallux varus: classification and treatment.

Appropriate treatment for hallux varus requires comprehensive radiographic and systematic clinical assessment to identify the involved factors. A classification scheme must incorporate many variables in order to determine the best approach to correcting the deformity. This article focuses on iatrogenic hallux varus following bunion surgery, but the same principles apply to other causes of acquired hallux varus.