Metatarsal osteotomy for relief of metatarsalgia.

If surgery is indicated for metatarsalgia, osteotomy of the metatarsals should be considered. In the years 1967-1977 we have operated on 35 feet. The first 17 we performed a proximal V-shaped osteotomy, the next 18 we performed a distal oblique osteotomy. The results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 13 cases and poor in 4 cases. We recommend the oblique distal osteotomy because the operation is simple, recovery is rapid and symptoms are well relieved.