Radiographic analysis of metatarsus primus varus. 45 feet followed 15 months after distal metatarsal osteotomy and lateral soft-tissue release.

We analyzed standardized radiographs of 45 feet in 41 patients with symptomatic hallux valgus and an intermetatarsal angle of 17 (15-23) degrees 15 (9-24) months after distal metatarsal osteotomy and lateral soft-tissue releases. A mean reduction in the II-intermetatarsal angle of 12 degrees and hallux valgus angle of 24 degrees was found. On average, the metatarsus primus varus angle improved by 4 degrees, the I-intermetatarsal angle by 3 degrees and the inclination angle of the first cuneiform by 4 degrees. We conclude that this operation corrects the metatarsus primus varus, without substantially altering the alignment of the long axis of the first metatarsal.