Surgical interventions for treating hallux valgus and bunions.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus (lateral angulation of the great toe towards the lesser toes, commonly known as bunions) presents in 23% to 35% of the population. This condition leads to poor balance and increases the risk of falling, adding to the difficulty in fitting into shoes and pain. Conservative (non-surgical) interventions treating pain rather than curing deformity are usually first-line treatments. When surgery is indicated, the overall best surgical procedure is an ever-evolving topic of discussion. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of different types of surgery compared with placebo or sham surgery, no treatment, non-surgical treatments and other surgical interventions for adults with hallux valgus. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and trial registries to 20 April 2023. We did not apply any language or publication restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials evaluating surgical interventions for treating hallux valgus compared to placebo surgery or sham surgery, no treatment, non-surgical treatment or other surgical interventions. The major outcomes were pain, function, quality of life, participant global assessment of treatment success, reoperation (treatment failure), adverse events and serious adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and the certainty of evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: We included 25 studies involving 1597 participants with hallux valgus. All studies included adults and most were women. One study compared surgery (V-shaped osteotomy) with no treatment and with non-surgical treatment. Fifteen studies compared different surgical techniques, including a V-shaped osteotomy (Chevron osteotomy), to other types of osteotomy. Nine studies compared different simple osteotomy techniques to each other or to a mid-shaft Z-shaped osteotomy (Scarf osteotomy). Most trials were susceptible to bias: in particular, selection (80%), performance (88%), detection (96%) and selective reporting (64%) biases. Surgery versus no treatment Surgery may result in a clinically important reduction in pain. At 12 months, mean pain was 39 points (0 to 100 visual analogue scale, 100 = worst pain) in the no treatment group and 21 points in the surgery group (mean difference (MD) -18.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) -26.14 to -9.86; 1 study, 140 participants; low-certainty evidence). Evidence was downgraded for bias due to lack of blinding and imprecision. Surgery may result in a slight increase in function. At 12 months, mean function was 66 points (0 to 100 American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle Scale (AOFAS), 100 = best function) in the no treatment group and 75 points in the surgery group (MD 9.00, 95% CI 5.16 to 12.84; 1 study, 140 participants; low-certainty evidence). Evidence was downgraded for bias due to lack of blinding and imprecision. Surgery may result in little to no difference in quality of life. At 12 months, mean quality of life (0 to 100 on 15-dimension scale, 100 = higher quality of life) was 93 points in both groups (MD 0, 95% CI -2.12 to 2.12; 1 study, 140 participants; low-certainty evidence). Evidence was downgraded for bias due to lack of blinding and imprecision. Surgery may result in a slight increase in participant global assessment of treatment success. At 12 months, mean participant global assessment of treatment success was 61 points (0 to 100 visual analogue scale, 100 = completely satisfied) in the no treatment group and 80 points in the surgery group (MD 19.00, 95% CI 8.11 to 29.89; 1 study, 140 participants; low-certainty evidence). Evidence was downgraded for bias due to lack of blinding and imprecision. Surgery may have little effect on reoperation (relative effect was not estimable), adverse events (risk ratio (RR) 8.75, 95% CI 0.48 to 159.53; 1 study, 140 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and serious adverse events (relative effect was not estimable), but we are uncertain. Surgery versus non-surgical treatment Surgery may result in a clinically important reduction in pain; a slight increase in function and participant global assessment of treatment success; and little to no difference in quality of life (1 study, 140 participants; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain about the effect on reoperation, adverse events and serious adverse events (1 study, 140 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Complex versus simple osteotomies Complex osteotomies probably result in little to no difference in pain compared with simple osteotomies (7 studies, 414 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Complex osteotomies may increase reoperation (7 studies, 461 participants; low-certainty evidence), and may result in little to no difference in participant global assessment of treatment success (8 studies, 462 participants; low-certainty evidence) and serious adverse events (12 studies; data not pooled; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain about the effect of complex osteotomies on function and adverse events (very low-certainty evidence). No study reported quality of life. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There were no trials comparing surgery to placebo or sham. Surgery may result in a clinically important reduction in pain when compared to no treatment or non-surgical treatment. Surgery may also result in a slight increase in function and participant global assessment of treatment success compared to no treatment or non-surgical treatment. There may be little to no difference in quality of life between surgery and no treatment or non-surgical treatment. We are uncertain about the effect of surgery on reoperation (treatment failure), adverse events or serious adverse events, when compared to no treatment or non-surgical treatment. Complex and simple osteotomies demonstrated similar results for pain. Complex osteotomies may increase reoperation (treatment failure) and may result in little to no difference in participant global assessment of treatment success and serious adverse events compared to simple osteotomies. We are uncertain about the effect of complex osteotomies on function, quality of life and adverse events.

Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of hyperextension of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and its relationship to onycholysis in women with hallux valgus.

BACKGROUND: Hallux Valgus (HV) deformity is associated with misalignment in the sagittal plane that affects the first toe. However, the repercussions of the first toe hyperextension in HV have been scarcely considered. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of the association between first-toe hyperextension and the risk of first toenail onycholysis in HV. METHODS: A total of 248 HV from 129 females were included. The extension of 1st MTP joint was measured while the patient was in the neutral position of the hallux using a two-branch goniometer. The classification of the HV severity stage was determined by the Manchester visual scale, and the height of the first toe in the standing position was measured using a digital meter. An interview and clinical examination were performed to collect information on the presence of onycholysis of the first toe. RESULTS: Of the 248 HV studied, 100 (40.3%) had onycholysis. A neutral extension > 30 degrees was noted in 110 (44.3%) HV. The incidence of onycholysis was higher in HV type C than in type B (p = 0.044). The probability of suffering onycholysis in the right foot was 2.3 times greater when the neutral position was higher than 30 degrees (OR = 2.3; p = 0.004). However, this was not observed in the left foot (p = 0.171). Onycholysis was more frequent in HV with more than 2 cm height of the first toe (p < 0.001). For both feet, the probability of suffering onycholysis was greater for each unit increase in hallux height (right foot OR = 9.0402, p = 0.005; left foot OR = 7.6633, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of onycholysis appears to be significantly associated with HV showing more than 30º extension, and more than 2 cm height of the first toe. Height and hyperextension of the first toe together with first toenail pathology should be mandatory in the evaluation of HV.

Comparative effects of modified rotary scarf osteotomy and traditional scarf osteotomy in treating moderate to severe hallux valgus: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Scarf osteotomy (TSO) is an effective procedure with a good record in moderate to severe hallux valgus (MSHV) surgery. In order to overcome shortcomings of TSO, Modified Rotary Scarf osteotomy (MRSO) was introduced in this study, which aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcome in the patients treated with MRSO or TSO. METHODS: Of 175 patients (247 feet) with MSHV, 100 patients (138 feet) treated with MRSO and 75 patients (109 feet) treated with TSO were evaluated according to relevant indicators in twenty-four months follow-up. Pre-surgical and post-surgical HVA, IMA, DMAA, MTP-1 ROM, sesamoid grade and AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) scores and postsurgical complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Both groups manifested similar baseline characters. The mean follow-up was of 25.9 (range, 22-37) months. Significantly lower IMA, lower Sesamoid grade and higher DMAA at six months, twelve months and twenty-four months post-surgically had been showed in MRSO group compared to TSO group. There was no significant difference in HVA, MTP-1 ROM and AOFAS data at each follow-up time point post-surgically between the two groups. No major complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: MRSO showed comparable results to TSO, and improved IMA and sesamoid grade to a greater extent, with a lower probability of throughing effect. Although DMAA could be increased by MRSO, MRSO could still be a reproducible, non-dangerous and efficacious alternative procedure for treating HV patients which do not have severe DMAA.

Retrospective Comparison of Preoperative and Postoperative Foot Width in Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has gained popularity for hallux valgus correction in the adult population. The advantage of reproducibility of this procedure can aid in lower operating room costs, quicker recovery, and fewer complications. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare preoperative versus postoperative foot widths in patients that underwent MIS hallux valgus correction. The average preoperative foot width was 101.1 ± 5.67 mm and postoperatively the foot width measured at 12-month follow-up was 95.9 ± 4.92 mm, which was statistically significant (p < .001). Overall, there was a 5.03 ± 3.71% reduction in foot width, with a statistically significant linear relationship between preoperative foot width and percent change in width following the procedure (R = -0.46; p = .003). Based on our results, we can conclude that MIS bunion surgery can effectively narrow the foot postoperatively, particularly in patients with a wider forefoot, adding cosmetic benefit to the procedure.

Correlation Between Traditional Anteroposterior Radiographic Measurements With Lateral Radiographic Measurements Following Triplanar Correction of Hallux Valgus and With Patient-Reported Outcomes From a Prospective Multicenter Trial.

Hallux valgus (HV) is a common condition in which the first ray is deformed, leading to pain and altered joint mechanics. A variety of radiographic measurements are used to evaluate HV. Little is known about measurements used in the assessment of HV on lateral radiographs compared to anteroposterior (AP) radiographs. The primary aim of this study was to correlate lateral measurements with AP measurements pre and postoperatively. The secondary aim was to correlate lateral measurements with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) pre and postoperatively. One hundred eighty-three patients were initially enrolled in the study. Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists independently performed all measurements. On AP radiographs, hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured. On lateral radiographs, sagittal IMA, Meary's angle, and sagittal first ray length were measured. Measurements were recorded at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for inter-reader analysis. ICCs were moderate to very strong among readers. There were significant but weak correlations between lateral measurements and AP measurements. For at least 1 timepoint, IMA correlated with sagittal IMA, sagittal first ray length, and Meary's angle. HVA only correlated with sagittal first ray length. These correlations were all weak in magnitude. There were a few significant but weak correlations between the measurements in the study and PROMs. This study showed that sagittal IMA, sagittal first ray length, and Meary's angle are not predictive of AP measurements or patient outcomes and are not useful in preoperative assessment of HV.

Evaluate the Influencing Factors of Congruency of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint in Hallux Valgus Based on Weightbearing CT.

The purpose of this study was to explore the difference between congruency and incongruency of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in hallux valgus using weightbearing CT (WBCT) and to identify the risk factors for incongruency. From January 2019 to January 2021, WBCT scans were retrospectively analyzed for 110 (191 feet) consecutive patients. According to whether the metatarsal articular surface and phalanx articular surface were parallel, they were divided into congruency (73 feet) and incongruency groups (118 feet). The age, intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), distal metatarsal articular surface angle (DMAA), first metatarsal coronal pronation angle (α angle), tibial sesamoid 7 positions (TSP), and tibial sesamoid coronal grading (TSCG) were compared between the 2 groups. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of incongruency. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to determine the cutoff value. There were significant differences in IMA, HVA, DMAA, α angle, age, TSP, and TSCG between congruency and incongruency groups (p < .05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that TSCG, HVA, α angle were the influencing factors of incongruency. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the cutoff values for incongruency were 1 position for TSCG (sensitivity: 0.835; specificity: 0.884) with the area under curve (AUC) of 0.892, 30° (sensitivity: 0.795; specificity: 0.812) for HVA with the AUC of 0.878, and 24° (sensitivity: 0.530; specificity: 0.797) for α angle with the AUC of 0.686. Incongruency of the first MTP joint indicated a more severe hallux valgus, and was associated with increased HVA, α angle, and TSCG.

Hallux Valgus: The Influence of Intersesamoid Crista's Osteoarthritis on Frontal Plane Pronation.

A frontal plane metatarsal rotational (pronation) has been documented in a high percentage of hallux valgus patients. Pathoanatomical concepts leading to pronation are still debated. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on how to measure this component of the deformity. The aim of the present study was to find potential associations between sesamoid's crista osteoarthritis and the frontal plane deformity in HV cases. Our study showed a moderate correlation between the crista's OA and the intermetatarsal angle (IMA), the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the alpha angle. In severe hallux vulgus deformed specimens, with an eroded intersesamoid crista, frontal plane pronation was not as prevalent nor severe as in those without osteoarthritic degeneration. Severe hallux valgus cases with a completely eroded crista, showed lower pronation, and higher IMA, when compared to specimens with a preserved anatomy. This brings to light the intersesamoid crista's unique function in retaining the IMA. Understanding the role the frontal plane plays in hallux valgus' biomechanics and in its radiographic appearance is vital to change the current paradigm.

Radiological Analysis of the Syndesmosis Concept in Metatarsus Primus Varus and Hallux Valgus Deformities Recurrence Prevention.

Hallux valgus (HV) is a common deformity of the foot. Its postoperative recurrence is not uncommon and is closely related to the recurrence of its underlying metatarsus primus varus (MPV) deformity. The syndesmosis procedure uses 1 to 2 intermetatarsal cerclage sutures to realign the first metatarsal and then induces a biological bonding between the 2 metatarsals to prevent the MPV deformity from recurring. This radiological study aimed to assess its effectiveness in long-term MPV and HV deformities recurrence prevention. Ninety-two feet of 51 consecutive patients had syndesmosis procedures that were prospectively followed up for more than 1 y and up to 14 y, averaging 100.5 (SD 45.2) months. Patients underwent X-ray examinations regularly at fixed intervals of their feet. We used Hardy's methods in measuring the intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), and medial sesamoid position from standing foot X-rays. More than 450 relevant X-ray and photo images were submitted as Supplementary Material for online viewing and reference. There was a significant final correction of IMA from 14.30° (SD 2.70) to 6.70° (SD 1.75) (p < .0001). There was no significant increase in IMA after the sixth postoperative month to their final follow-up endpoints, regardless of their lengths. There was a significant final correction of HVA from 31.95° (SD 7.45) to 19.1° (SD 7.45) (p < .0001). This study reconfirmed past findings that the MPV deformity could be corrected without osteotomies. Creating a syndesmosis-like intermetatarsal bonding was effective for long-term MPV recurrence prevention. Three feet had postoperative stress fracture of the second metatarsal. However, the HV deformity correction was less satisfactory, and the reasons were explained.

Contributions of age, gender, body mass index, and normalized arch height to hallux valgus: a decision tree approach.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common toe deformity with various contributory factors. The interactions between intrinsic risk factors of HV, such as arch height, sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) should be considered. The present study aimed to establish a predictive model for HV using intrinsic factors, such as sex, age, BMI, and arch height based on decision tree (DT) model. METHODS: This is retrospective study. The study data were based on the fifth Size Korea survey, of the Korea Technology Standard Institute. Among 5,185 patients, 645 were excluded due to unsuitable age or missing data, and 4,540 (males = 2,236 and females = 2,304) were selected for inclusion in the study. Seven variables (i.e., sex, age, BMI, and four normalized arch height variables) were used to develop the prediction model for the presence of HV using a DT model. RESULTS: The DT model correctly classified 68.79% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 67.25-70.29%) of the training data set (3,633 cases). The predicted presence of HV based on the DT was verified against the testing data set (907 cases) and showed an accuracy of 69.57% (95% CI = 66.46-72.55%). CONCLUSIONS: The DT model predicted the presence of HV on the basis of sex, age, and normalized arch height. According to our model, women aged over 50 years and those with lower normalized arch height were at high risk of HV.

Determination of individual factors associated with hallux valgus using SVM-RFE.

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors related to hallux valgus (HV) and their importance using support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). METHODS: A total of 864 participants aged ≥ 18 years were enrolled. The Manchester scale was used to determine the presence of HV (summed scores for both feet ≥ 4). The questionnaire included items such as age, sex, height, weight, and foot measurements. These internal factors were analyzed to determine if they are related to HV using SVM-RFE. RESULTS: The results of tenfold cross-validation using SVM-RFE revealed that the numbers of feature selections were 10, 10, and 9 for age, sex, and body weight, respectively, and these factors were shown to be related to HV. HV was found to be more common in women than in men (women, 24.9%; men, 7.6%), but the sex difference was not significant in older people. CONCLUSION: Age and sex were found to be important factors associated with HV identified via feature selection using SVM-RFE.

Influence of the shape of the first metatarsal cuneiform joint on the development of hallux valgus deformity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the presence of certain shapes of the first metatarsal-cuneiform joint (MTC) joint in feet with hallux valgus (HV) deformity. To determine whether the anatomical orientation of this joint affects the size of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the first intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and whether it contributes to the dynamics of the developmental course of HV deformity. METHODS: The shape of the first MTC joint was determined on a sample of 315 feet with HV deformity. The influence of the shape of this joint on the values of HVA and IMA was explored. The relation between the position of the tibial sesamoid and the size of HVA and IMA as well as the dynamics of the development of this deformity depending on the shape of the first MTC joint, was examined. RESULTS: The oblique shape of the first MTC joint was found in 165 (52.4%) feet, the transverse in 145 (46%), and the convex shape was registered in five feet (1.6%). In the oblique shape of this joint, a moderate and severe degree of HV deformity is predominant, while in the transverse shape a mild degree dominates. A statistically significant dependence of HVA on the shape of the first MTC joint was found (Sig. = 0.010), while the dependence of IMA did not show statistical significance (Sig. = 0.105). HVA values follow the position of the tibial sesamoid in both shapes of the MTC joint while the size of the IMA in the transverse shape does not follow the change of the position of this sesamoid. CONCLUSION: The oblique shape of the first MTC joint is associated with the more severe form of HV deformity and its faster developmental course. In the analyzed sample, it was shown that HVA is higher in the oblique shape of the MTC joint and significantly depends on the anatomical orientation of this joint. Furthermore, IMA has a higher value in the oblique shape compared to transverse but this dependence is not statistically significant. The analysis showed that the oblique shape of the first MTC joint contributes to the development of HV deformity.

Are Radiographs Associated With Patient Satisfaction After Scarf Bunionectomy?

There are over 350,000 bunion surgeries performed in the USA annually, making it one of the most common elective forefoot surgeries. Studies have suggested that as many as 10% of patients remain dissatisfied after bunion surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if radiographic variables are associated with patient satisfaction at 1 year postoperatively. We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data on 69 consecutive adult patients (mean age 45 ± 14 years, 91% female [63/69]) who underwent isolated hallux valgus surgery from January 2016 to January 2017. Subjects completed a standardized 4-item survey inquiring about their satisfaction with regards to pain relief, overall operative result, cosmetic appearance, and ability to wear desired shoe gear. Conventional radiographic indices for hallux valgus were examined preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. An association model using backward stepwise logistic regression was utilized to determine which variables, if any, are most important in explaining patient satisfaction after surgery. Sixty-nine subjects completed the 4-item satisfaction survey with 53.6% (37/69) of subjects answering they were fully satisfied on all aspects of the survey at 12 months postoperatively. In the final regression model, no radiographic or demographic variables were associated with patient satisfaction including shoe gear, cosmetic appearance, pain relief, and overall operative result. Radiographic variables did not appear to be associated with patient satisfaction at one year postoperatively in our study. Factors such as quality of life, anxiety levels, fear of surgery, and/or preoperative expectations may offer more insight into satisfaction; however, further research should be performed to examine this further.

Quality and Content Analysis of Hallux Valgus Videos on YouTube®.

Our aim in this study is to analyze the content and quality of the videos about hallux valgus on YouTube®. The first 50 videos published by typing "hallux valgus" in the search engine on the YouTube® site were analyzed. The number of views of all videos, likes, dislikes, who uploaded the video, video duration, content, watch rate, and how many days it was uploaded were analyzed and recorded. All videos were analyzed with Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), DISCERN, GQS, and VPI scores. Six of the videos (12%) were from academic sources, 14 (28%) from commercial product vendors, 13 (26%) by medical animation organizers, 8 (16%) by physicians, 4 (8%) by physiotherapists, 2 (4%) by physical training trainers, 1 (2%) by patients, and last 2 (4%) by trainers. The JAMA mean score of the videos was recorded as 2 (1-4), GQS 3.02 (2-5), DISCERN score 37.56 (26-68), and Video Power Index 41.35 (0-470). The quality of YouTube® videos about hallux valgus is low. The content and quality of health-related information obtained through the Internet are of increasing importance for both healthcare professionals and patients.

Rates of Lapidus Procedures in the US Military Before and After the Advent of and Advocacy for Tri-Plane Lapidus Corrective Surgery.

Tri-plane corrective Lapidus surgery has been described as advantageous with respect to its anatomic basis and outcomes. Because the procedure has been broadly publicized, changes in overall Lapidus procedure rates due to increased numbers of patients opting for the tri-plane approach could have occurred. Data supporting this possibility appears lacking. We employed official personnel and health records of the total active-duty US military to conduct a retrospective cohort study of Lapidus surgery rates before and after the advent of the tri-plane corrective Lapidus procedure. Least-squares and locally-weighted scatterplot smoother regression functions were used to confirm time trends. Sociodemographic and occupational traits of Lapidus patients were compared using 2-sided t tests and chi square tests. Lapidus surgery rates among hallux valgus patients decreased during 2014 to 2016 and increased during 2017 to 2021. While multiple factors might explain these trends, they coincide with the advent of and advocacy for tri-plane Lapidus surgery. The results support the possibility that its rise influenced overall Lapidus rates in this population. As these findings represent limited evidence of such an influence, further research is required to confirm a causal link. If such a link is found, and if the ongoing research suggests that superior outcomes are associated with tri-plane Lapidus surgery, substantial implications could exist for this population. Benefits might include enhanced medical readiness due to the importance of lower extremity function during military duties. Additional research is needed to confirm the impact of the procedure and to determine whether Lapidus surgery rate patterns in civilian populations mirror these findings.

Postoperative Opioid Consumption Following Hallux Valgus and Rigidus Surgery: A Guide to Postoperative Prescription Writing.

Prescribing postoperative pain medications is essential to foot and ankle surgery; however, prescribing an amount that results in an excess of pills has shown to lead to opioid abuse. The opioid epidemic has forced surgeons to analyze how we manage postoperative pain with a goal to prescribe the optimal number of pills that will reduce a patient's pain while limiting the amount that is left over. The purpose of this study was to develop a guideline for prescribing postoperative pain medication for hallux valgus and rigidus procedures. One hundred eighty-five opioid naive patients were followed after undergoing surgery for hallux valgus or hallux rigidus. The number of opioids consumed was obtained and compared to a number of variables. There were 28 different prescriptions given during the study. As the number of pills given decreased, so did the number of pills consumed (p = .08). Of the 185 patients, 14 (7.56%) received a refill. Ninety-five patients were available for opioid consumption data analysis. Those patients consumed a median of 36.7% and 39.1% of their prescription for hallux valgus and hallux rigidus procedures respectively. Smokers consumed 2.4 times the number of narcotics compared to nonsmokers (p = .002). The median number of 5-325 mg hydrocodone-acetaminophen pills consumed was 8.5 for distal metatarsal osteotomies and 10 for first metatarsophalangeal joint procedures. Body mass index, gender, number of procedures performed did not have a statistical difference in the number of opioids taken. Foot and ankle surgeons can reduce the amount of excess opioids by decreasing the initial prescription and educating the patient on proper pain management modalities.

Pain Reduction With AbobotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Hallux Valgus in Adult Participants: Results of a Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial.

AbobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A, Dysport® [Ipsen, Paris, France]) inhibits acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction and may modulate pain signaling in hallux valgus (HV). This randomized study (NCT03569098) included a double-blind phase (aboBoNT-A 300U, 500U or placebo injections into forefoot muscles) and an open-label aboBoNT-A treatment period in participants with an HV diagnosis and no HV surgery. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) score at week 8. Secondary endpoints included change in NPRS (other time points) and proportion of participants with ≥20% reduction from baseline NPRS (responders). Post-hoc analyses assessed number of days in a 7-day evaluation period that participants spent in a lower pain state than at baseline. Participants received aboBoNT-A 300U (n = 63), 500U (n = 60) or placebo (n = 63). Superiority to placebo was not observed with either aboBoNT-A dose at week 8, thus the primary endpoint was unmet. At week 12, a trend toward efficacy was observed with aboBoNT-A 500U versus placebo and the proportion of participants with ≥20% reduction from baseline NPRS was greater with aboBoNT-A 500U versus placebo (p = .006). Participants in the aboBoNT-A 500U group spent more days with lower NPRS than their lowest baseline score, and with NPRS ≥2 points lower than their mean baseline NPRS at weeks 8 and 12 versus placebo (all p < .05; post-hoc). AboBoNT-A was well tolerated. Although the primary endpoint was unmet, other endpoints showed a nominal advantage for aboBoNT versus placebo for treatment of HV-related pain, particularly at week 12. Further clinical evaluation is needed to establish whether botulinum toxins represent a viable non-operative treatment option for HV-associated pain. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Hallux valgus is the medical name for a bunion, a foot deformity that can worsen over time. Patients with bunions experience pain and walking can become difficult, which can affect their quality of life. Foot support aids (e.g., braces, splints and inserts) are available, but surgery is the standard treatment. This study looked at how injections of a specific type of botulinum toxin, called abobotulinumtoxinA or "aboBoNT-A", into the foot may help to reduce pain in patients with bunions. The study included 186 patients aged 18 to 75 years who had not had surgery on their bunion. The researchers looked at how well the injections worked using scales that measure the pain levels the patient experienced. The main outcome was whether patients who had aboBoNT-A injections had less pain after 8 weeks than they did before treatment. The study included patients who were injected with saltwater (no treatment) to check that any treatment effect was real. Researchers also looked at the results after 12 weeks, as well as how many patients had less pain after treatment than before and how many days in a given week patients experienced less pain after treatment than they did before. There was no reduction in pain levels with aboBoNT-A injections after 8 weeks compared with no treatment. However, the other study outcomes suggested that aboBoNT-A resulted in a small benefit compared with no treatment, especially after 12 weeks. Further medical research is needed to establish whether botulinum toxins represent an alternative treatment to surgery for the pain associated with bunions.

First Tarsometatarsal Joint Fusion for Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Retrospective Comparison of Two Fixation Constructs Regarding Initial Maintenance of Correction and Complications: Traditional Crossing Screw Fixation Versus Dorsomedial Locking Plate and Intercuneiform Compression Screw.

Various fixation constructs exist to address hallux valgus when performing a first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis. The goal of this present study is to compare complication rates, and degree and maintenance of angular correction between a dorsomedial locking plate with intercuneiform compression screw construct versus traditional crossing solid screw fixation construct. The plate plus intercuneiform compression screw construct fixation utilized a combined sagittal saw and curette method of joint preparation while the crossed screw fixation group utilized a curette and bur technique. A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients who underwent a midfoot fusion using either constructs. Sixty four total feet in 56 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty four consecutive patients (32 feet) who underwent a midfoot arthrodesis using the locking plate and intercuneiform fixation were fully fused (100%) by 10 weeks postoperatively, with no incidents of nonunion and one deep vein thrombosis event. Thirty two consecutive patients (32 feet) who underwent midfoot arthrodesis with crossing screw fixation had 2 nonunion events, one that was asymptomatic and the other that required a revision midfoot fusion. There was a statistically significant improvement from the pre-operative intermetatarsal angle, hallux abductus angle compared to the 10 week and 1 year radiographs (p < .05) for the entire cohort for both fixation constructs. There was a statistically significant increase in American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery first ray scores from pre-op to 1 year follow-up for both fixation constructs. Overall, the dorsomedial locking plate plus intercuneiform compression screw fixation construct better maintains Intermetatarsal angle (IMA) correction at midterm follow-up compared to the traditional crossing screw construct. Both cohorts overall demonstrate similar fusion rates at 10 weeks, nonunion events, incidences of broken hardware, hardware removal, deep vein thrombosis, neuritis at 1 year postoperatively, and hallux varus.

Validity and Reliability of the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) Score in Patients With Hallux Valgus in Singapore.

The European Foot and Ankle Society score is a popular tool for monitoring treatment outcomes of foot or ankle conditions. However, few studies have assessed its psychometric properties in patients with hallux valgus. We aimed to validate the European Foot and Ankle Society score in patients with hallux valgus in Singapore. This is a cohort study of 121 patients with operatively managed hallux valgus from a tertiary referral hospital, evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively with the primary endpoint of restoring patients to premorbid status. Internal consistency was assessed via Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was assessed through 7 a priori hypotheses by correlating the European Foot and Ankle Society score with other patient-reported outcomes measures. Structural validity was assessed via Confirmatory Factor Analysis, whereby a good fit was indicated when Comparative Fit Index >0.95, Tucker-Lewis Index >0.95, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation <0.06, and Standardized Root Mean Residuals <0.08. Among our subjects, the European Foot and Ankle Society score demonstrated reliability, reflected by a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.773). Six out of the 7 a priori hypotheses were fulfilled, indicating both convergent and divergent construct validity. Structural validity was confirmed with our European Foot and Ankle Society score model which showed good fit for a 1-factor structure (Confirmatory Factor Analysis = 0.998, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.996, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.025 [90% CI: 0-0.111], Standardized Root Mean Residuals = 0.027). In conclusion, the European Foot and Ankle Society score was validated for monitoring treatment outcomes of patients with hallux valgus in Singapore.

What Do Patients Report Regarding Their Real-World Function Following Triplane Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis for Hallux Valgus?

First metatarsalphalangeal (MTP) joint arthrodesis has been employed for decades for pain related to arthritis and other associated abnormalities. Despite the commonality of the procedure there continues to be questions regarding functional expectations following the procedure especially when employed for correction of hallux valgus deformity. We surveyed 60 patients who had a triplane MTP joint arthrodesis at mean 28.4 months (median 27.8) regarding their activities of daily living and sports activity through a direct conversation. Secondary endpoints assessed were return to activity, deformity correction and arthrodesis healing rate based on chart review and weightbearing radiographs. The primary outcomes showed robust return to all activities of daily living with 97% able to walk without restrictions and or pain, 98% were able to walk at a normal pace and 95% responded that loss of motion of their big toe did not affect their daily function. Regarding return to sports all patients that participated in sports before surgery resumed participation after with a trend toward increased sports activity. Early return to walking in a fracture boot was noted in this cohort at mean 4.1 days, return to athletic shoe at mean 6.3 weeks and full unrestricted activity at mean 13.3 weeks with no non-unions identified on radiographic or clinical exam. Deformity correction of the typical components of hallux valgus deformity was similar to previously published studies. This data set supports the hypothesis that patients undergoing first MTP joint arthrodesis can expect rapid and full return to activities of daily living and sports with a low complication rate.

Exploring the Relationship Between Clinical Presentation in Hallux Valgus and Response to AbobotulinumtoxinA Treatment.

The relationship between pain/disability and angular deviation of the hallux valgus (HV), and the impact of orthotic use, laterality, and pain variability on treatment outcomes remain unclear. This was explored in post hoc analyses of a placebo-controlled trial of abobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A; Dysport®) for HV-associated pain (NCT03569098). The primary endpoint was not met in this study (change from baseline Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS] score vs placebo at week 8); however, there was a greater reduction from baseline in mean NPRS score at week 12 with aboBoNT-A 500U versus placebo (p = .06). Adults with painful HV without surgery were randomized (1:1:1) to aboBoNT-A 300U, aboBoNT-A 500U, or placebo. NPRS was completed for 7 days before baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12. Over-the-counter orthoses were permitted. Participants (N = 186) had a mean [standard deviation, SD] age of 48.2 [13.1] years, 18% (33/186) used orthotics, and 67% (124/186) had bilateral HV. No associations between baseline pain severity and angular deviation were identified. Participants with high pain variability at baseline (SD > 2) had a poorer response to aboBoNT-A treatment than those with less variability. In conclusion, no relationship between HV-related pain/disability and angular deviation was observed. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: A bunion (medical term: hallux valgus) is a common adult foot problem in which the big toe points inward toward the other toes, and this can be painful. How much the big toe points inward (how deformed the foot is) has been linked to the amount of pain the patient experiences. A better understanding of this foot deformity and bunion pain will help doctors and patients to make the right treatment decisions. A study was completed looking at how injections of a type of botulinum toxin (abobotulinumtoxinA) into specific muscles in the foot may help to reduce bunion pain in patients without surgery. This subsequent analysis of the study data looked at the amount of foot deformity in patients, the bunion pain they experienced, and which factors affected how well abobotulinumtoxinA worked to reduce bunion pain. The results of this study showed that the amount of foot deformity was not linked to the level of bunion pain. When deciding the best treatment option to relieve bunion pain, it is important that doctors not only consider how deformed the foot is, but also other important factors such as foot pain levels.