Changes in radiographic alignment following metatarsophalangeal fusion, distal metatarsal osteotomy, and lapidus

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the different surgical treatments for hallux valgus on various radiographic measures of bunion correction.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic medical center involving 2 fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons. One hundred and nineteen feet (110 patients) were included. Procedures included first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis (n = 88), Chevron and/or Scarf osteotomy (n = 23), and Lapidus (n = 8). Overall, 78.2% of patients were female, mean age was 60.49 (range, 16-81) years, and mean follow-up was 1.20 (range, 0.25-3.92) years.Results Hallux valgus angle (HVA) significantly differed preoperatively (MTP = 33.33 degrees, Chevron/Scarf = 27.03 degrees, Lapidus = 32.56 degrees; P = .026). There was no difference in distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) preoperatively (MTP = 18.87 degrees, Chevron/Scarf = 17.80 degrees, Lapidus = 14.39 degrees; P = .629). At final follow-up, DMAA was significantly greatest among the Lapidus bunionectomy cohort (MTP = 9.63 degrees, Chevron/Scarf = 13.51 degrees, Lapidus = 17.45 degrees; P = .005). There was no difference in infection (MTP = 6.8%, Chevron/Scarf = 4.4%, Lapidus = 0.0%; P = 1.00) or reoperation (MTP = 19.3%, Chevron/Scarf = 21.7%, Lapidus = 12.5%; P = .921) rates between cohorts, although both rates were highest in the first MTP arthrodesis group.Conclusion Among the 3 hallux valgus corrections studied, Lapidus bunionectomy fared the worst regarding DMAA correction at first follow-up and final follow-up, compared with MTP fusion and distal metatarsal osteotomies. Other radiographic measures showed no significant difference among the groups.Level of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective cohort study