Chevron (Austin) distal metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus: comparison of pre- and post-surgical characteristics.

The purpose of the study was to compare the range of motion, perceived pain and plantar loading characteristics of the Chevron (Austin) corrective procedures in treating hallux valgus (HV) 12 months postsurgically. Twenty-five female participants with the diagnosis of mild to moderate HV deformity were studied. All participants had a distal metatarsal osteotomy (Chevron (Austin)) to correct their deformity. First metatarsophalangeal and talocrural joint range of motion (ROM) and a 10-point analog pain scale were measured presurgically and 12 months post-surgically on each participant. Radiographic measures of hallux valgus and intermetatarsal (IM) angles were taken preoperatively and six weeks postoperatively for comparison. Five pressure distribution measurements were recorded of barefoot walking using the EMED-SF presurgically and 12 months postsurgically. Statistical analyses revealed that plantar loading is still altered 12 months postsurgically despite a decrease in perceived pain and adequate first metatarsophalangeal joint ROM. Greater loading occurred in the central forefoot (CFF) region with decreases in some of the loading parameters in the medial toe (MT) region postsurgically. Loading parameters in the lateral forefoot (LFF), heel (HL), midfoot (MF), and lateral toe (LT) were unchanged 12 months postsurgery compared to presurgery.