Tricorrectional bunionectomy for hallux abducto valgus. A comprehensive outcome study

Abstract

A longitudinal outcome study of the tricorrectional bunionectomy with AO screw fixation for the correction of hallux abducto valgus was undertaken involving 84 consecutive patients (121 feet) with a mean age of 48.4 years who underwent the procedure over a 6-month period. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of forefoot angles were calculated, with the following mean results obtained: intermetatarsal angle of 14.46 degrees corrected to 5.72 degrees, hallux abductus angle of 26.38 degrees corrected to 11.65 degrees, proximal articular set angle of 19.85 degrees corrected to 6.06 degrees, and tibial sesamoid position of 4.75 corrected to 1.87. The average time to return to athletic shoes was 12.63 days. Postoperative complications were minor, with no delayed unions, malunions, hematomas, bone infections, or hallux varus. Long-term follow-up (mean, 21.33 months) using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's objective Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale revealed an overall mean score of 88.94 points out of a possible 100. An excellent mean result of 95 points out of a possible 100 on the subjective patient rating scale was also reported.