Lateral condylar resection for bunionette.

Lateral condylar resection operations were performed in 21 feet in 16 patients with painful bunionettes. The mean follow-up period (examination and roentgenography) was 6.4 years (range, 2.3-12.4 years). The average forefoot score improved from 40.3 +/- 13.5 points to 68.3 +/- 11.7 points of a possible 75 points. The overall results were considered good in 15 feet, fair in three, and poor in three. The causes of failure were inadequate amount of resection, metatarsophalangeal joint subluxation, and severe forefoot splaying. Complications were infection, toe hypesthesia, and metatarsophalangeal joint subluxation. One patient required reoperation. Lateral condylar resection is simple and effective for most patients with bunionette, but limitations are recognized.