Correction method for moderate and severe degrees of hallux valgus associated with transfer metatarsalgia

BACKGROUND Hallux valgus(HV)is a common foot deformity that manifests with increasing age,especially in women.The associated foot pain causes impaired gait and decreases quality of life.Moderate and severe HV is a deformity that is charac-terized by the involvement of lesser rays and requires complex surgical treatment.In this study,we attempted to develop a procedure for this condition.AIM To analyse the treatment results of patients who underwent simultaneous surgical correction of all parts of a static forefoot deformity.METHODS We conducted a prospective clinical trial between 2016 and 2021 in which 30 feet with moderate or severe HV associated with Tailor’s bunion and metatarsalgia were surgically treated via a new method involving surgical correction of all associated problems.This method included a modified Lapidus procedure,M2M3 tarsometatarsal arthrodesis,intermetatarsal fusion of the M4 and M5 bases,and the use of an original external fixation apparatus to enhance correction power.Preoperative,postoperative,and final follow-up radiographic data and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)scores were compared,and P values<0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS The study included 28 females(93.3%)and 2 males feet(6.7%),20(66.7%)of whom had a moderate degree of HV and 10(33.3%)of whom had severe deformity.M2 and M3 metatarsalgia was observed in 21 feet,and 9 feet experienced pain only at M2.The mean follow-up duration was 11 months.All patients had good correction of the HV angle[preoperative median,36.5 degrees,interquartile range(IQR):30-45;postoperative median,10 degrees,IQR:8.8-10;follow-up median,11.5 degrees,IQR:10-14;P<0.01].At follow-up,metatarsalgia was resolved in most patients(30 vs 5).There was a clinically negligible decrease in the corrected angles at the final follow-up,and the overall AOFAS score was significantly better(median,65 points,IQR:53.8-70;vs 80 points,IQR:75-85;P<0.01).CONCLUSION The developed method showed good sustainability of correction power in a small sample of patients at the one-year follow-up.Randomized clinical trials with larger samples,as well as long-term outcome assessments,are needed in the future.

Deep learning automation of radiographic patterns for hallux valgus diagnosis

Artificial intelligence(AI)and deep learning are becoming increasingly powerful tools in diagnostic and radiographic medicine.Deep learning has already been utilized for automated detection of pneumonia from chest radiographs,diabetic retinopathy,breast cancer,skin carcinoma classification,and metastatic lymphadenopathy detection,with diagnostic reliability akin to medical experts.In the World Journal of Orthopedics article,the authors apply an automated and AIassisted technique to determine the hallux valgus angle(HVA)for assessing HV foot deformity.With the U-net neural network,the authors constructed an algorithm for pattern recognition of HV foot deformity from anteroposterior highresolution radiographs.The performance of the deep learning algorithm was compared to expert clinician manual performance and assessed alongside clinician-clinician variability.The authors found that the AI tool was sufficient in assessing HVA and proposed the system as an instrument to augment clinical efficiency.Though further sophistication is needed to establish automated algorithms for more complicated foot pathologies,this work adds to the growing evidence supporting AI as a powerful diagnostic tool.

Functional Dependence of IM and HV Angle in Hallux Valgus Deformity before and after Operative

Hallux valgus is a relatively common and multifaceted complex deformity of the front part of the foot. It is the result of multiple effects of innate (endogenous) and exogenous etiological factors with different degrees of influence. The degree of hallux valgus deformity is usually assessed by radiological values of hallux valgus (HV) and intermetatarsal (IM) angles. The aim of the paper is to justify the definition of hallux valgus deformity as a function of one angle, (HVA or IMA), and then to determine the functional connection and the most suitable function equalizing the values of the angles IMA and HVA. As hallux valgus is a double angulation deformity, the analytically determined connection between the HVA and IMA angles reduces the study of the deformity to the study of function with one argument, and makes the analysis of deformity changes before and after operative treatment simpler. For the determined connections between the angles, the values of linear proportionality coefficients and regression coefficients of corresponding linear functions of analytical equalization of the value of the IM angle and the degree of deformity for a given value of the HV angle were experimentally determined. The obtained results were checked on a sample of 396 operatively treated hallux valgus deformities. The presented analytical approach and the obtained functional links of IMA and HVA enable quantitative observation of the change in the degree of deformity based on the radiologically determined value of these angles, and the established nonlinear function will be useful for evaluating the expected value of the IM angle and the degree of deformity based only on the measured value of the HV angle. .

Role of lateral soft tissues release in percutaneous hallux valgus correction:A medium term retrospective study

BACKGROUND In the field of minimally invasive surgery(MIS)for the treatment of hallux valgus(HV),different techniques have begun to emerge in the literature concerning the distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone,the synthesis or not of the metatarsal head,the possible association with lateral soft tissues release(LSTR)and osteotomy of the base of the first phalanx.AIM To evaluate the role of LSTR on percutaneous HV correction,evaluating functional and radiographical results.METHODS From January 2012 to May 2016 a total of 396 patients with mild to moderate symptomatic HV treated with the MIS technique were included in this retrospective study.The technique provides no internal fixation(WOS).Patients were divided into the LSTR group and no LSTR group(LSTR N).This surgical procedure(LSTR)was reserved for insufficient HV angle(HVA)correction during fluoroscopic control.Patients were evaluated at each follow-up by two other authors after appropriate training by senior authors(first practitioners).Clinical evaluation was performed before surgery,6 mo after surgery,and 48 mo follow-up.American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)and visual analog scale(VAS)score was used to evaluate pain and function,and complications were recorded.In addition,the incidence of relapses and the degree of joint range of motion(ROM)with the association with the LSTR(capsule,adductor tendon,phalanx-sesamoid ligament,and the deep transverse metatarsal ligament)were evaluated.Radiological parameters included HVA and intermetatarsal angle(IMA).Patient satisfaction was assessed.Student t-test and Fisher exact test were used to assess statistical analysis.RESULTS From our study it is clear that no differences in term of HVA,VAS,IMA correction,rate of complications,and AOFAS score were found between groups,while a significant improvement of the same variables was found in each group between pre and postoperative values.A significant improvement in ROM at 6 mo(P=0.018)and 48 mo(P=0.02)of follow-up was found in LSTR N group.Complications were rare in both groups.CONCLUSION LSTR procedure on percutaneous HV correction seems to increase postoperative joint stiffness with a comparable incidence of relapse and a low incidence of complications.

The Radiological Outcome of Surgical Correction of Hallux Valgus with Combined Scarf and Akin Osteotomies

Background: Hallux valgus deformity is one of the most common chronic and progressive foot deformities. Surgical correction of the deformity plays a central role in the treatment of symptomatic hallux valgus. However, more than one hundred different surgical techniques have been described. Objective: To assess the radiological outcome of hallux valgus surgical correction using a scarf and akin osteotomies. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted on 25 adult patients (36 feet). Twenty-two females and two males with hallux valgus were treated with surgical correction using a scarf and akin osteotomies. All candidates were kept on regular postoperative, scheduled clinical follow-up programs for one year and assessed radiologically. Results: Twenty-five patients (36 feet) were included in this study. The hallux valgus angle significantly shifted to the normal range (less than 15°) after surgery, and the inter-metatarsal angle also improved to the normal range (less than 9°). Conclusion: Using scarf and akin osteotomies in treating moderate and severe hallux valgus deformity provides the satisfactory radiological outcomes in form of decreasing hallux valgus angle and inter-metatarsal angle.

Classification of Hallux Valgus Using Conjugated Deformity

Hallux valgus is a complex deformity of the forefoot. It is the result of multiple effects of endogenous and exogenous etiological factors with different degrees of influence. The degree of hallux valgus deformity was assessed by radiological values of hallux valgus (HVA) and intermetatarsal (IMA) angle. Thus, each hallux valgus deformity corresponds to a pair (HVA, IMA) of hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) values in the plane of the deformity. The intensity of the point position vector S (HVA, IMA) in the deformation plane determined by the relation represents the absolute (conjugate) value of the power deformities. The goal of the article is to explain the advantage of the definition of the degree of hallux valgus deformity using its absolute (conjugate) value, and then to show that the degree of deformity defined in this way enables a better classification of deformities for all values of the HVA and IMA angles. Furthermore, in this article, applying the definition of conjugate deformity, analytical expressions were constructed for the assessment of the average value of deformity correction after operative treatment, as well as the error assessment of deformity correction after operative treatment. All obtained results were checked on a sample of 396 operatively treated feet.

A comparative study on imaging parameters of Chevron combined with Akin osteotomy and Scarf combined with Akin osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus in patients at different ages

Objective:To study the imaging parameters of Chevron combined with Akin and Scarf combined with Akin for the correction of hallux valgus in patients of different ages.Methods:Eighty patients(152 feet)with hallux valgus who underwent Chevron combined with Akin and Scarf combined with Akin in our hospital were randomly selected.The patients were divided into young and middle-aged groups.Measure the hallux valgus angles(HVA),distal metatarsal articular angle(DMAA)and intermetatarsal angles(IMA)with professional X-ray measurement software and then reseach the effect of two the operation methods.Results:Young group:Chevron combined with Akin and Scarf combined with Akin significantly improved HVA and IMA,the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05),but the improvement effect of the two groups was similar,and the difference had no statistical significance(P>0.05).The improvement effect of the two groups on DMAA in young patients was not significant,and the difference had no statistical significance(P>0.05);Middle-aged group:Chevron combined with Akin and Scarf combined with Akin also significantly improved HVA and IMA(P<0.05),but the improvement effect of the two groups was similar,and the difference had no statistical significance(P>0.05).Chevron combined with Akin significantly improved DMAA in middle-aged and elderly patients,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Scarf combined with Akin did not significantly improve DMAA in middle-aged and elderly patients,and the difference had no statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion:Both Chevron combined with Akin and Scarf combined with Akin are effective and widely used.Chevron combined with Akin was able to improve DMAA in middle-aged and elderly patients.Therefore,Chevron combined with Akin is recommended for middle-aged and elderly patients with hallux valgus.

Footwear modification following hallux valgus surgery: The all-or-none phenomenon

AIM:To define footwear outcomes following hallux valgus surgery,focusing on patient return to comfortable and heeled footwear and patterns of post-operative footwear selection.METHODS:Surgical intervention is indicated for symptomatic cases of hallux valgus unresponsive to conservative methods,with favourable reported outcomes.The return to various types of footwear postoperatively is reflective of the degree of correction achieved,and corresponds to patient satisfaction.Patients are expected to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively without significant residual symptoms.Many female patients will additionally attempt to return to high-heeled,narrow toe box shoes.However,minimal evidence exists to guide their expectations.Sixtyfive female hallux valgus patients that had undergone primary surgery bet ween 2011 and 2013 were retrospectively identified using our hospital surgical database.Patients were reviewed using a footwearspecific outcome questionnaire at a mean 18.5 mo follow-up.RESULTS:Eighty-six percent of patients were able to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively with minimal discomfort.Of those intending to resume wearing heeled footwear,62%were able to do so,with 77%of these patients wearing these as or more frequently than pre-operatively.No significant difference was observed between pre-and post-operative heel size.Mean time to return to heeled footwear was 21.4wk post-operation.Cosmetic outcomes were very high and did not adversely impact footwear selection.CONCLUSION:We report high rates of return to both comfortable and heeled shoes in female patients following primary hallux valgus surgery.We observed an"all-ornone phenomenon"where patients rejected a return to heeled footwear unless able to tolerate them at the same frequency and heel size as pre-operatively.A minority of patients were unable to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively,which had adverse ramifications on their quality-of-life.We recommend that the importance of managing patient expectations through appropriate pre-operative counselling be emphasized in forefoot surgery.

Treatment of Mild to Moderate Hallux Valgus, Percutaneous Osteotomy versus Distal Chevron Osteotomy

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare two different surgical techniques for treating mild to moderate cases of hallux valgus. Methods: Forty-one patients (58 feet) with mild to moderate hallux valgus were treated by either percutaneous technique (n = 24) patients (33 feet) or by distal chevron osteotomy (n = 17) (25 feet). Results: In the percutaneous group, after a mean follow up of 49.36 months, the mean correction of hallux valgus angle (HV) was 26.69&deg;in the intermetatarsal angle, average correction was 9.45&deg;. The mean improvement of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was 46.45 points. In the chevron osteotomy group, the mean follow up of 51.56 months, the mean correction of hallux valgus angle was 26.78&deg;in the intermetatarsal angle, average correction was 9&deg;. The mean improvement of AOFAS was 44.76 points. Conclusion: Both techniques gave satisfactory results. However, the percutaneous technique is safer than the distal chevron osteotomy.

Radiological Characteristics and Anatomical Risk Factors in the Evaluation of Hallux Valgus in Chinese Adults

Background：There are no unified theories as to the anatomical changes that occur with hallux valgus,we investigated the radiological characteristics and anatomical risk factors for hallux valgus deformity in Chinese adults.Methods：We reviewed 141 patients with hallux valgus （206 feet; 15 males,126 females; mean age,58.5 years）.These patients attended Peking University People＇s Hospital from April 2008 to March 2014.All feet had intact radiological data,obtained using the Centricity RIS/PACS system.We measured hallux valgus angle （HVA）,1-2 intermetatarsal angle （IMA）,proximal articular set angle （PASA）,distal articular set angle,hallux interphalangeal angle,metatarsocuneiform angle,size of the medial eminence of the distal first metatarsal,tibial sesamoid position,and joint congruity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint （MTPJ）.Results：We found positive correlations between the HVA and IMA （r =0.279,P 〈 0.01） and HVA and PASA （r =0.358,P 〈 0.01）,but not for IMA and PASA （P 〉 0.05）.Feet were divided into three groups based on HVA severity.IMA （P 〈 0.05） and PASA （P 〈 0.05） in the mild group were significantly lower than that in the moderate and severe groups,with no significant difference determined for IMA or PASA between the moderate and severe groups （P 〉 0.05）.Feet were then grouped based on the shape of the first metatarsal head.Using this grouping,HVA was significant higher in the rounded shape （19.92°） than in a flat shape （17.66°）.The size of the medial eminence of the distal first metatarsal was positively correlated with HVA （r =0.185,P 〈 0.01）.The medial eminence in the moderate and severe groups was significantly larger than that in the mild group; moderate and severe groups were not significantly different.Conclusions：PASA enlargement is an adaptive change during early hallux valgus formation,and decompensation leads to subdislocation in the first MTPJ.A rounded first metatarsal head would thus predispose a foot to hallux valgus.Furthermore,bone proliferation at the medial eminence may also lead to early hallux valgus development.

A reappraisal of the relationship between metatarsus adductus and hallux valgus

Background A causal link between the metatarsus adductus and hallux valgus is not clear.The aim of this study was to investigate the configurations of the metatarsus adductus deformity by radiological measurements and reappraise the relationship between hallux valgus and metatarsus adductus.Methods The first step was evaluation of the relationship between metatarsus adductus and hallux valgus on 143 dorsoplantar weight-bearing radiographs diagnosed as hallux valgus which was also known as bunions.Measurements including the hallux valgus angle （HVA）,the intermetatarsal angle （IMA）,the Kilmartin angle （KA）,the tibial sesamoid position （TSP）,and metatarsus adductus angle were taken.The metatarsus adductus angle is defined by Sgarlato＇s angle （SMA） and Engel＇s angle （EMA） respectively.Results The metatarsus adductus angle positively correlates with the HVA （r=0.590,P=0.000） and KA （r=0.601,P=0.000）,yet negatively correlates with the grade of TSP,（r=-0.348,P=0.000）.Contradiction of diagnosis existed in 22 （22/100） subjects diagnosed as metatarsus adductus by SMA yet normal by EMA.In this group,the correlation between HVA and metatarsus adductus angle was negative （r=-0.472,P=0.027）.Conclusions EMA and SMA defined metatarsus adductus by different deformity apexes.Metatarsus adductus configurations in that the apex of the deformity lay in either the base of metatarsals or tarsus.They respectively correlate positively or negatively to the HVA.

Hallux valgus deformity treated with the extensor hallucis longus tendon transfer by dynamic correction

Background Recurrence of hallux valgus is considered to be the most common problem experienced postoperatively.We designed and caried out operations to correct hallux valgus by transferring the extensor hallucis longus （EHL） tendon to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.Methods Twenty-five patients （38 feet） with the average age of （46.3±12.3） （range, 22 to 60） years underwent the operation. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score and weight-bearing radiographs of the foot were applied to assess the feet pre- and postoperatively with a mean duration of follow-up of （38.2±3.2） months. The surgical procedure includes the release of the distal soft tissues, excision of the medial eminence, plication of the medial part of the capsule, and transfer of the EHL tendon, and reconstructing its insertion.Results At follow-up, 35 feet （23 patients, 85%） were free from pain at the first metatarsophalangeal （MTP） joint. In three feet （two patients）, the pain was alleviated but persisted. The mean hallux valgus angle decreased significantly from a preoperative 38.3°±8.0° to 7.3°±2.0° at the time of the most recent follow-up （P 〈0.0001）, and the mean intermetatarsal （IM） angle decreased significantly from preoperative 12.5°±3.4° to postoperative 6.5°±2.4° （P 〈0.0001）. The mean score according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society had increased from 46.5 to 84.8 points （P 〈0.0001）.Conclusions Hallux valgus can be corrected by transferring the EHL tendon medially and reconstructing its insertion.The technique can achieve stress balance of metatarsophalangeal joints and therefore prevent the recurrence of hallux valgus.

Metallic resurfacing hemiarthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint combined with first metatarsal osteotomy for the treatment of hallux rigidus with hallux valgus in China

Hallux rigidus occurs mainly at the first metatarsophalangeal （MTP） joint,causing localized pain and degenerative arthritis.1 This condition frequently occurs together with hallux valgus and is difficult to treat.For hallux rigidus affecting only one joint,the treatment choices include articular debridement,resection arthroplasty,prosthetic arthroplasty,and arthrodesis,depending on the degree of arthritis.

Implications of obesity in patients with foot and ankle pathology

Obesity is a growing problem defined as a body mass index of greater than 30 kg/m2.It is predicted that by 2030,48.9%of adults will be classified as obese which expands surgical risk factors to a broad population while increasing healthcare costs at the same time in different socioeconomic groups.This specific population has been widely studied in multiple surgical fields and published studies have shown the implications in each of these fields.The impact of obesity on orthopedic surgical outcomes has been previously reported in several total hip and knee arthroscopy studies,with evidence indicating that obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of post operative complications together with higher revision rates.In line with increasing interest on the impact of obesity in orthopedics,there has been a similar output of publications in the foot and ankle literature.This review article evaluates several foot and ankle pathologies,their risk factors associated with obesity and subsequent management.It provides an updated,comprehensive analysis of the effects of obesity on foot and ankle surgical outcomes,with the ultimate aim of educating both surgeons and allied health professionals about the risks,benefits,and modifiable factors of operating on obese patients.

Multiple Infantile Myofibromatosis with Skeletal Abnormalities

Background: Infantile myofibromatosis is an uncommon disorder characterized by multiple fibromatous tumours involving skin, bone, muscle, viscera and subcutaneous tissue. It is a rare benign mesenchymal tumour;most commonly occurs in infancy or early childhood. The clinical presentation can mimic malignant tumours of infancy or childhood. Case Presentation: We describe a rare case of multicentric Infantile myofibromatosis in a 6-month-old infant presenting with multiple scalp swellings and associated skeletal abnormalities (adducted thumbs, clinodactyly and bilateral hallux valgus deformity of great toes). The case required surgical excision of all scalp lesions and orthopedic manipulation of skeletal abnormalities. Conclusion: Infantile myofibromatosis presenting as multiple lesions in the scalp associated with skeletal abnormalities, is very rare. To best of our knowledge, the unique combination of the distinct skeletal abnormalities in infantile myofibromatosis has not been reported so far. This report emphasizes the possibility of skeletal abnormalities in infantile myofibromatosis.