OBJECTIVETo investigate efficacy of simple osteotomy for correct hallux valgus,and explore its scope and condition.

METHODSFrom December 2009 to April 2011, 20 patients (32 feet) with hallux valgus were treated by simple osteotomy. There were 1 male (1 foot), 19 females (31 feet) with an average age of 40 years (ranged, 22 to 64 years). The course of disease ranged from 2 to 31 years(mean 12 years). Among them, 6 feet were mild, 20 feet were moderate, 6 feet were serious. Patients had symptoms of metatarsophalangeal joint pain, but tensity of lateral soft tissue were normal. Hallux Valgus Angle (HVA) and Intermetatarsal Angle (IMA) were examined before and after treatment. The criteria of hallux valgus was used to evaluate the effects from valgus deformity, activity of metatarsophalangeal joint, satisfaction of patients.

RESULTSTwenty patients were followed up from 6 to 18 months with an average of 8.5 months. The wounds were healed well, no infection and metatarsal head necrosis occurred, 95.1% of patients were satisfied with the efficacy. Average AOFAS score increased from preoperative (53.1 +/- 7.5) points to the final follow-up (93.1 +/- l.9) points (P<0.05), the average correct HVA increased from preoperative (33.4 +/- 7.8) degrees to postoperative (11.9 +/- 3.6) degrees (P<0.05), the average IMA were decreased from preoperative (12.3 +/- 3.0) degrees to postoperative (6.3 +/- 1.9) degrees (P<0.05), tibial sesamoid position improved from 1.9 to 0.9 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONthe main pathological changes of hallux valgus patients with normal tension of lateral soft tissue is metatarsal adduction, simple osteotomy can get satisfactory results, no need to cut adductor muscle.