Dataset Information

Radiographic correlates of hallux valgus severity in older people.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The severity of hallux valgus is easily appreciated by its clinical appearance, however x-ray measurements are also frequently used to evaluate the condition, particularly if surgery is being considered. There have been few large studies that have assessed the validity of these x-ray observations across a wide spectrum of the deformity. In addition, no studies have specifically focused on older people where the progression of the disorder has largely ceased. Therefore, this study aimed to explore relationships between relevant x-ray observations with respect to hallux valgus severity in older people.

Methods

This study utilised 402 x-rays of 201 participants (74 men and 127 women) aged 65 to 94 years. All participants were graded using the Manchester Scale - a simple, validated system to grade the severity of hallux valgus - prior to radiographic assessment. A total of 19 hallux valgus-related x-ray observations were performed on each set of x-rays. These measurements were then correlated with the Manchester Scale scores.

Results

Strong, positive correlations were identified between the severity of hallux valgus and the hallux abductus angle, the proximal articular set angle, the sesamoid position and congruency of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. As hallux valgus severity increased, so did the frequency of radiographic osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and a round first metatarsal head. A strong linear relationship between increased relative length of the first metatarsal and increased severity of hallux valgus was also observed.

Conclusions

Strong associations are evident between the clinical appearance of hallux valgus and a number of hallux valgus-related x-ray observations indicative of structural deformity and joint degeneration. As it is unlikely that metatarsal length increases as a result of hallux valgus deformity, increased length of the first metatarsal relative to the second metatarsal may be a contributing factor to the development and/or progression of hallux valgus.

SUBMITTER: D'Arcangelo PR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2949715 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Radiographic correlates of hallux valgus severity in older people.

D'Arcangelo Paul R PR Landorf Karl B KB Munteanu Shannon E SE Zammit Gerard V GV Menz Hylton B HB

Journal of foot and ankle research 20100916

<h4>Background</h4>The severity of hallux valgus is easily appreciated by its clinical appearance, however x-ray measurements are also frequently used to evaluate the condition, particularly if surgery is being considered. There have been few large studies that have assessed the validity of these x-ray observations across a wide spectrum of the deformity. In addition, no studies have specifically focused on older people where the progression of the disorder has largely ceased. Therefore, this st ...[more]

PMID: 20846367

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Project description:BackgroundAlthough the etiology of hallux valgus is contested, in some patients it may be failure of the stabilizing soft tissue structures around the first ray of the foot. Because there is lack of effective soft tissue techniques, osteotomies have become the mainstream surgical approach to compensate for the underlying soft tissue deficiency; osteodesis, a soft tissue nonosteotomy technique, may be a third alternative, but its efficacy is unknown.Questions/purposesWe asked: (1) Can an osteodesis, a distal soft tissue technique, correct hallux valgus satisfactorily in terms of deformity correction and improvement in American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score? (2) Is the effectiveness of an osteodesis affected by the patient's age or deformity severity? (3) What complications are associated with this procedure?MethodsBetween February and October 2010, we performed 126 operations to correct hallux valgus, of which 126 (100%) were osteodeses. Sixty-one patients (110 procedures) (87% of the total number of hallux valgus procedures) were available for followup at a minimum of 12 months (mean, 23 months; range, 12-38 months). This group formed our study cohort. During the study period, the general indications for this approach included failed conservative measures for pain relief and metatarsophalangeal angle greater than 20° or intermetatarsal angle greater than 9°. Intermetatarsal cerclage sutures were used to realign the first metatarsal and postoperative fibrosis was induced surgically between the first and second metatarsals to maintain its alignment. The radiologic first intermetatarsal angle, metatarsophalangeal angle, and medial sesamoid position were measured by Hardy and Clapham's methods for deformity and correction evaluation. Clinical results were assessed by the AOFAS score.ResultsThe intermetatarsal angle was improved from a preoperative mean of 14° to 7° (p<0.001; Cohen's d=1.8) at followup, the metatarsophalangeal angle from 31° to 18° (p<0.001; Cohen's d=3.1), the medial sesamoid position from position 6 to 3 (p<0.001; Cohen's d=2.4), and AOFAS hallux score from 68 to 96 points (p<0.001). Neither patient age nor deformity severity affected the effectiveness of the osteodesis in correcting all three radiologic parameters; however, the deformities treated in this series generally were mild to moderate (mean intermetatarsal angle, 14°; range, 9°-22°). There were six stress fractures of the second metatarsal (5%), five temporary metatarsophalangeal joint medial subluxations all resolved in one month by the taping-reduction method without surgery, and six metatarsophalangeal joints with reduced dorsiflexion less than 60°.ConclusionsThe osteodesis is a soft tissue nonosteotomy technique, and provided adequate deformity correction and improvement in AOFAS scores for patients with mild to moderate hallux valgus deformities, although a small number of the patients had postoperative stress fractures of the second ray develop. Future prospective studies should compare this technique with osteotomy techniques in terms of effectiveness of the correction, restoration of hallux function, complications, and long-term recurrence.Level of evidenceLevel IV, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Dataset Information

Radiographic correlates of hallux valgus severity in older people.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Radiographic correlates of hallux valgus severity in older people.

Similar Datasets

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