Proximal Metatarsal Osteotomy in Correction of Hallux Valgus

Hallux valgus is a common cause of foot pain and deformity in the adult and adolescent population, which often requires surgical treatment when nonsurgical treatments fail.

During the past decades, multiple modified procedures and fixation techniques have been described.

The most common types of osteotomies of the first metatarsal are crescentic, chevron, scarf and lateral or medial opening wedge techniques.

A concern with the Chevron and other distal osteotomies is the development of avascular necrosis of the first metatarsal head with a reported incidence of between 0% and 20%.

On the other side, the proximal dome osteotomy along with a distal soft tissue release is an excellent procedure. The proximal location of the osteotomy avoids devascularization of the metatarsal head, and the crescent shape maintains the length of the metatarsal. It allows a high degree of correction at the intermetatarsal angle in severe deformities.

When the condition is associated with an increased intermetatarsal angle, a surgical technique using a proximal first metatarsal osteotomy is often indicated. A proximal opening wedge osteotomy stabilized with a wedge and plate configuration offers a stable, reliable means to correct the increased intermetatarsal angle.

Over the past 10 years, some surgeons have increasingly used locking plates instead of a single screw for stabilisation of the osteotomy with the assumption of better postoperative stability and preserved length of the first metatarsal. In addition, fixation with a plate has been described as technically less challenging.

Inclusion criteria

• all admitted patients to Assiut University Hospitals.
• age group of 15 years old and above.
• Moderate and severe degrees of hallux valgus.

Exclusion criteria

• Burn
• age group below 15 years old.
• patient who refuse to participate in the study.