Surgical treatment of Hallux Valgus

Abstract

Background: Hallux valgus (valgus deviation of hallux) is one of the most common acquired pathology of locomotor apparatus. The diversity of surgical approaches in the treatment of Hallux Valgus prove the lack of a certain doctrine that would unify the opinion of the orthopedic surgeons regarding this pathology. The aim of the research is to improve the treatment results in patients with Hallus Valgus by developing a pathogenetic surgical treatment method. Materials and methods. The research was held on 19 females older than 45 years old that underwent surgical treatment in the Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopedics, in Tiraspol. Twenty-six surgeries were made in total, out of which 11 patients underwent bilateral surgeries (22 surgeries), and only 4 patients underwent unilateral surgeries. Preoperatively the following investigations were made: X-ray and CT scans in special slides for the anterior part of the foot. Pain syndrome and 2nd degree deviation (or more) of the hallux were considered indications for surgery. The surgical method used by us has the aim of removing all pathological elements of the medial metatarsophalangeal joint followed by their strengthening without changing the shape of the first metatarsian bone, and restoration of the congruence of the metatarsophalangeal joint. Results. Follow up of late results of the surgical treatment in 14 patients with Hallux Valgus were made up to 4 years. The shape of the anterior part of the foot and the correct position of the hallux was kept in 12 patients. In 2 patients the shape was correct, but the pain syndrome is present at the end of the day. Conclusion. Taking into consideration modest results obtained from a relatively small number of patients operated for hallux valgus using a special metal plate for fixation of the hallux in its correct position, the results are positive.