Hallux valgus: comparative study between two surgical techniques of proximal addition osteotomy

Abstracts

OBJETIVO: Comparar clínica e radiograficamente os resultados da correção do hálux valgo, através de duas técnicas de osteotomia de adição: uma utilizando-se da exostose ressecada e outra, mediante a fixação com placa para cunha de adição. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 24 pés em 19 pacientes, com média de idade de 51,3 anos, portadores de hálux valgo, com seguimento médio de 50,1 meses. Submeteram-se à técnica de osteotomia de adição com exostose óssea (OAEO) 13 pés e à osteotomia de adição com placa para cunha de adição (OPCA) 11 pés. Foram avaliados no pré e pós operatório o escore AOFAS, os ângulos intermetatársicos 1 e 2, e ângulo de valgismo do hálux. RESULTADOS: Na técnica OAEO a média no pré-operatório do AOFAS foi 46,6 pontos, AIM 14º e AVH 32º, enquanto no pós-operatório AOFAS 81,3 pontos, AIM 9º e AVH 25ºcom 92,3% de resultados satisfatórios. Na técnica OPCA a média no pré-operatório do AOFAS foi 42,1 pontos, AIM 15º e AVH 29º, enquanto no pós-operatório AOFAS 77,4 pontos, AIM 11º e AMF 23º com 81,8% de resultados satisfatórios. CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as técnicas cirúrgicas mostraram-se eficazes no tratamento do hálux valgo, clínica e radiograficamente, sem diferença estatística entre elas. Nível de evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Hallux valgus; Osteotomia; Placas ósseas

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Universidade de Taubaté - Department of Medicine - Taubaté, SP, Brazil

Mailing address

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To clinically and radiographically compare the results of treatment of hallux valgus, by two addition osteotomy techniques: one using resected exostosis, and the other using a plate fixation for addition wedge.

METHODS: We evaluated 24 feet of 19 patients, mean age 51.3 years, affected by hallux valgus, with a mean follow-up of 50.1 months. 13 feet underwent addition osteotomy with resected exostosis (AORE) and 11 patients (11 feet) underwent addition osteotomy with plate (AOP). The AOFAS score, intermetatarsal 1 and 2 angles, and hallux valgus angle were evaluated before and after surgery.

RESULTS: In the AORE technique, the mean preoperative AOFAS was 46.6, with IMA 14º and HVA 32o, while in the postoperative AOFAS it was 81.3, with IMA 9º and HVA 25º, and 92.3% satisfactory results. In the AOP technique, the mean preoperative AOFAS was 42.1, with IMA 15º and HVA 29º while in the postoperative AOFAS it was 77.4, with IMA 11º and HVA 23º and 81.8% of satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques proved to be effective in the treatment of hallux valgus, both clinically and radiografically, with no statistical difference between them. Level of evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

Keywords: Hallux valgus. Osteotomy. Bone plate.

INTRODUCTION

Hallux valgus is the main pathology of the forefoot, affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint. It is defined as lateral deviation of the hallux associated with varus deformity of the first metatarsal, producing a medial bone prominence at the level of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.^1-3

The genesis of this deformity is made up of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. An extrinsic factor that stands out is the use of footwear with triangular toe box and high heel that leads to the approximation of the metatarsal heads, producing lateral deviation of the hallux. Special emphasis is placed on the following intrinsic factors: heredity, varus deformity of the first metatarsal, ligament laxity, variations of length of the first metatarsal, format of the first tarsometatarsal joint and fallen arches.^2,4,5

The conservative treatment is of a palliative nature, alleviating the symptoms but not correcting the deformities; accordingly, surgical treatment would be indicated in painful cases. There are descriptions of countless surgical techniques in literature, yet there is not a single surgical approach with satisfactory results for all cases, for which reason it falls to the orthopedist to indicate the best technique, according to the anatomical variations, length of the first metatarsal, degrees of hallux valgus deformity, presence or absence of metatarsophalangeal joint arthrosis and first ray hypermobility.^5,6-8

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the outcome of the surgical treatment of symptomatic index-minus hallux valgus treated with the use of two addition osteotomy techniques. The first using resected exostosis of the distal epiphysis of the first metatarsal (addition osteotomy with resected exostosis - AORE) and the second, through fixation using an addition wedge plate (AOP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During the period between June 1999 and April 2009, 19 patients (24 feet) with light and moderate index-minus hallux valgus were submitted to surgery. All the patients were treated at Hospital Universitário de Taubaté (HUT), at Fundação de Saúde Municipal de Caçapava (FUSAM) or at the private clinic of one of the authors. There was a predominance of female individuals (17 patients/22 feet) over male individuals (two patients/two feet). The average age at the time of surgery was 51.3 years with a minimum of 17 years and maximum of 66 years. The most affected side was the left (14 feet) when compared to the right (10 feet). Five patients were operated bilaterally.

The AORE surgical technique was applied to 13 feet of 10 patients and the AOP technique was employed on 11 feet of 11 patients. Two patients with bilateral deformity were submitted to AOP in one foot and AORE in the other.

The minimum postoperative follow-up time in the general sample was six months, maximum of 144 months, averaging 50.1 months. In the group submitted to AORE the mean follow-up was 79.4 months with minimum of 12 months and maximum of 144 months. In the feet operated by AOP, the mean follow-up was 20.7 months, with minimum of six months and maximum of 31 months. Table 1 presents number of order, initials of the patients, age at surgery, sex, laterality, surgical technique employed and postoperative follow-up time.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

Addition osteotomy with bone graft taken from the exostosis (AORE)

After asepsis and antisepsis, with the limb bloodless, we made a longitudinal and medial incision starting two centimeters from the medial exostosis of the head of the first metatarsus, continuing distally up to the proximal third of the proximal phalanx. We made a Y-shaped incision in the metatarsophalangeal joint capsule, leaving a capsular flap adhered to the base of the proximal phalanx of the hallus, to assist us in the correction of the hallux valgus deformity when suturing it. We performed the exostectomy in the lengthwise direction with laminar chisel and hammer.

We made a second incision between the first and second metatarsal, measuring approximately two centimeters in length. Through this approach we sectioned the adductor hallucis tendon, an important factor to allow the correction of the sesamoids and the hallux valgus deformity. Finalizing, a last incision of three centimeters in the medial region of the foot, at the base of the first metatarsal, site of the osteotomy. Using a micro saw or chisel, one centimeter distal to the first metatarsal-cuneiform joint, we performed the base osteotomy at a right angle, preserving the integrity of the lateral cortex. (Figure 1)

We modeled the graft taken from the exostosis as an opening wedge of approximately 5mm then introduced it in the osteotomy, thus seeking to correct the varus deformity of the first metatarsal. (Figure 2)

We did not fix the majority of these osteotomies with synthesis, because the graft entered under pressure, opening the osteotomy and remaining firm, as the lateral cortex was preserved. We sutured the capsule (polyvicryl 0) with sufficient tension to aid in the correction of the hallux deformity. The limb was then immobilized with elastic compression bandage of the foot and of the ankle. Load bearing on the operated limb was disallowed for three weeks. In the following three weeks, walking was allowed with Barouk or postoperative stiff-soled sandals.

Osteotomy and fixation with addition wedge plate (AOP).

Until the first metatarsal base osteotomy all the procedures carried out in the anterior technique were identical. The plate used was the L-shaped Low Profile Metatarsal Opening Wedge Plate from Arthrex, made of titanium, with four holes and a "step" for the osteotomy opening. The thickness of the "step", located in the lower portion of the plate, ranges from zero to seven millimeters, with the correction of approximately three degrees for each millimeter. (Figures 3, 4 and 5)

From this point on the suturing and bandaging were identical to the AORE technique. We gave the patient the all clear to resume walking at an earlier stage, two weeks after surgery.

We performed a radiographic evaluation of HVA and IMA 1 and 2 in the anteroposterior view of the foot with the patient on the chassis in orthostatic position. These angles were measured in the preoperative and postoperative periods.

We applied the satisfaction scale questionnaire of the American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). (Appendix 1) This scale provides a score for eight factors, from zero to 100 points, related to hallux valgus, such as: pain, limitation of activity and of movement, type of footwear used, presence of calluses and first ray alignment. We considered values greater than or equal to 70 points satisfactory, and values below 70 points unsatisfactory. The statistical analysis was conducted through the Student's t-test for paired data with the objective of assessing the efficacy of the treatments. The significance level was set at 0.05.

To compare the AOFAS results and the measurements of the angles obtained in each technique employed we used the analysis of variance method and Turkey's test.

All the participating patients received an explanation about the study objectives and were asked to sign the informed consent form. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidade de Taubaté.

RESULTS

With the AORE technique we obtained 92.3% satisfactory results (12 feet) and 7.7% unsatisfactory results (one foot). (Figure 6) In this group the mean AOFAS score in the preoperative period was 46.6 points, climbing to 81.3 in the postoperative period (SD 17.7 and 11.4). (Table 2)

The preoperative mean IMA and HVA were 14º and 32º (SD 2.0 and 1.7), dropping to 9º IMA and 25º HVA (SD 4.7 and 5.4), respectively, in the postoperative period. (Table 3)

The Student's t-test for paired data showed a significant improvement in the clinical (AOFAS) and radiographic aspects with this technique. (p<0.05).

In the group of feet submitted to the AOP technique, the percentage of satisfactory results was 81.8% (nine feet) while unsatisfactory results represented 18.2% (two feet). (Figure 7)

In these feet the mean AOFAS score in the preoperative period was 42.1 points, climbing to 77.4 points in the postoperative period (SD 14.8 and 16.1). (Table 4)

The preoperative mean IMA and HVA were 15º and 29º (SD 2.5 and 6.4), dropping to 11º IMA and 23º HVA (SD 4.0 and 10.4), respectively, in the postoperative period. (Table 5)

The Student's t-test for paired data showed a significant improvement in the clinical (AOFAS) and radiographic aspects with the use of AOP in this group of feet (p<0.05).

When compared by the analysis of variance and Turkey's test, both techniques exhibited similar results in the clinical (AOFAS) and radiographic aspects.

In the feet submitted to the AORE procedure we found 23% of complications: suture dehiscence, slow consolidation and hypercorrection (hallux varus), with one foot for each complication. In the patient where hypercorrection occurred (no. 10, Table 1) we opted for surgical re-intervention, applying the inverted Chevron technique for the correction of hallux varus deformity, with a good result.

In the group submitted to AOP there were fewer complications: only one patient complained about pain above the plate. No other foot presented loosening or breakage of the screws.

The deformity reoccurred in two feet, leading to an unsatisfactory result, where both feet were operated using the AOP technique (no. of order 12 and 17, Table 4).

We did not observe superficial or deep infections or reduced mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint in the two techniques employed.

DISCUSSION

The treatment of symptomatic hallux valgus presents several surgical techniques, yet there is no single ideal technique for all cases. Surgical intervention almost always requires osteotomy of the first metatarsal for ray realignment. When the hallux valgus is associated with a Minus Index and varus deformity of the first ray, addition osteotomy techniques are indicated.

Just like in the literature, we found greater incidence of hallux valgus in the female patients than in the male patients, in a proportion of 9.5:1.^1,3,6,7 There was no significant predominance in relation to the laterality of the affected feet.

The two techniques compared in this study exhibited similar results, both in the improvement of the clinical aspects and in the pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters.

In the general sample we obtained 87.5% of satisfactory results, similar to the findings of other authors.^{.(1,4,6,9,10)} In the AORE technique separately, the satisfactory results were higher, at 92.3%. On the other hand, in the AOP technique the percentage was lower, at 81.8 %, the same shown by Pappas et al.¹¹

The mean AOFAS score in both techniques presented a significant increase, slightly higher for AORE, yet when compared, the difference was not significant, which is similar to the findings of Ruaro et al.¹² and Ignacio et al.¹³ The mean AOFAS score for the AOP group presented an increase from 42.1 to 77.4 points, yet below the values obtained in the studies of Thomas et al.⁹ and Walther et al.,¹⁴ perhaps due to the fact that our casuistry is small (11 cases) and we are passing through the learning curve of the technique.

The IMA and HVA decreased in the feet operated by both techniques, even though they did not attain values of normality in the entire sample, which is the same result observed in literature.^9,11-16

The proximal osteotomy of the first metatarsal promoted an improvement of the IMA in relation to the HVA where most cases, despite the decrease, did not attain levels of normality. This fact might arise from our failure to use associations with distal osteotomies in the first metatarsal or in the proximal phalanx, which would assist us in a better correction of hallux valgus deformity. The complication that appeared most important to us was hypercorrection, in a patient submitted to the AORE technique leading to a hallux varus, possibly due to excessive resection of the exostosis.

We observed delayed consolidation in only one foot submitted to the AORE technique, unlike Smith et al.,¹⁶ who performed fixation with plate and screws but still observed the same complication in six feet. We did not encounter cases of absorption of the bone graft in this study.

Following in the steps of Walther et al.,¹⁴ we systematically filled the space of the wedge produced by the plate with fragments of the removed exostosis.

We understand, as do several authors who perform the fixation with addition wedge plate,^9,11,14-16 that the advantage of this technique over AORE consists of its easy execution, as well as the fact that we are able to give the patient the all clear to start walking earlier. We believe that this is a result of the greater stability afforded by the plate in the fixation of the osteotomy, as referred to by Walther et al.¹⁴

Pain at the site of the plate was a complaint presented by one patient (4.1%), yet without the need to remove the plate, unlike other studies,^11,13,15 in which the plates had to be removed due to the presence of pain, breakage or loosening of the material.

CONCLUSION

The two surgical techniques employed appeared efficacious for the treatment of hallux valgus.

The mean points of the AOFAS method in the postoperative period increased significantly in both the techniques.

The radiographic measurements of IMA and of HVA obtained a reduction in the postoperative period, statistically significant in both techniques.

The results obtained by the two surgical techniques were equivalent, with no statistical difference between them.

REFERENCES

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• 9. Thomas MG, Schroth A. Proximal MT I - Osteotomy using a titanium locking plate: midterm results of a new technique. In: 3^rd Joint Meeting of International Federation of Foot And Ankle Societies, 2008. p. 115.
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• 11. Pappas AJ, Anderson RB, Cohen BE, Davis WH, Jones CP. Comparison of opening wedge metatarsal osteotomy to proximal chevron metatarsal osteotomy for moderate to severe hallux valgus correction. In: 24^th Annual Summer Meeting of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society; 2008. p. 257-8.
• 12. Ruaro AF, Carvalho AE, Fernandes TD, Salomão O, Aguilar JAG, Meyer AT. Estudo comparativo entre duas técnicas de osteotomia no tratamento do hálux valgo: análise clínica e radiográfica Rev Bras Ortop. 2000;35(7):248-59.
• 13. Ignácio H, Chueire AG, Carvalho Filho G, Nascimento LV, Vasconcelos UMR, Barão GTF. Estudo retrospectivo da osteotomia de base do primeiro metatarso com tratamento do hálux valgo, Acta Ortop Bras. 2006;14(1):48-52.
• 14. Walther M, Mayer B, Dreyer F, Röser A. The proximal open wedge osteotomy with an interlocking plate for the correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus. In: 24^th Annual Summer Meeting of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, 2008. p. 268-9.
• 15. Watson TS, Shurnas PS. Proximal metatarsal opening wedge osteotomy for the treatment of moderate to severe bunion deformities. In: 3^rd Joint Meeting of International Federation of Foot And Ankle Societies, 2008. p. 49.
• 16. Smith WB, Hyer CF, Berlet GC, DeCarbo WT, Lee TH. Opening wedge osteotomies of the proximal first metatarsal for correction of hallux valgus: a review of wedge plate fixation. In: 24^th Annual Summer Meeting of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, 2008. p. 264-5.

Hallux valgus: comparative study between two surgical techniques of proximal addition osteotomy

Luiz Carlos Ribeiro Lara; Bruno Vierno de Araujo; Nelson Franco Filho; Roberto Minoru Hita

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  14 Jan 2013
• Date of issue
  Dec 2012

History

• Received
  15 Sept 2010
• Accepted
  12 Apr 2011