McKeever arthrodesis for the painful hallux.

Three hundred nine McKeever arthrodeses for treatment of the painful hallux were performed on 234 patients at the Mayo Clinic from 1955 to 1980. Two hundred six cases were contacted, and 71 were personally examined and X-rayed. The average follow-up was 15 years (1 to 28 years). Ninety-one percent wore shoes within 2 months, 92% are painless, and 98% without other foot pathology are wearing dress shoes of their choosing. Complications, which consisted of failed fixation, infection, and recurrence of deformity, occurred in 8%. The screw fixation was removed in 30%. Eighty-six percent of the patients are satisfied.