Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Scarf osteotomy combined with Akin osteotomy in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus with absorbable screws or metal screws fixation by clinical and radiological data. Methods Between March 2014 and May 2016, the Scarf osteotomy combined with Akin osteotomy was used to treat 62 patients (83 feet) with moderate to severe hallux valgus. Twenty-five patients (35 feet) were fixed by absorbable screws (group A) and 37 patients (48 feet) were fixed by metal screws (group B). The difference in gender, age, affected side, etiology, severity, disease duration, preoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and first-second intermetatarsal angle (1-2IMA) measured in weight-bearing anteroposterior X-ray film, preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between 2 groups (P>0.05). The complications and healing time of 2 groups were recorded and compared. At last follow-up, the AOFAS and VAS scores, and HVA, 1-2IMA measured by weight-bearing anteroposterior X-ray film were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results All incisions healed by first intention and no incision-related complication occurred in the two groups after operation. Both groups were followed up, the follow-up time in group A was 12-36 months (mean, 24.4 months) and in group B was 14-38 months (mean, 25.7 months). In group A, 1 foot was complicated with hallux varus, 2 feet had mild stiffness, 1 foot appeared metastatic metatarsal pain, and in group B was 2, 3, 2 feet, respectively. There was no recurrence of hallux valgus in both groups. The difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups after the first operation was not significant (χ2=0.275, P=0.843). The removal rate of internal fixator in group B was 89.2% (33 cases) during the second operation, among which 3 cases had screw slip and 1 case had screw fracture. And 10.8% (4 cases) refused the second removal operation due to their age. Postoperative X-ray films showed that both groups had good healing at the osteotomy site, and there was no significant difference in healing time between the two groups (t=1.633, P=0.285). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score, VAS score, HVA, and 1-2IMA were significantly improved in the two groups when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); but no significant difference was found between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The effectiveness of Scarf osteotomy combined with Akin osteotomy in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus is significant, with few complications. Compared with being fixed by metal screws, being fixed by absorbable screws has the same effectiveness, but can avoid the risk of second operation to remove the internal fixator.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Scarf osteotomy and Akin osteotomy combined with soft tissue procedures for hallux valgus associated with mild to moderate metatarsus adductus. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients (48 feet) who were diagnosised hallux valgus associated with mild to moderate metatarsus adductus and treated by Scarf osteotomy and Akin osteotomy combined with soft tissue procedures between February 2013 and May 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 2 males (2 feet) and 28 females (46 feet) with an average age of 29.4 years (range, 18-50 years). The disease duration was 3-12 years (mean, 6.1 years). The degree of metatarsal adductus was assessed by Sgarlato’s measurement and Yu et al classification criteria, and the degree of metatarsal adductus was mild in 20 feet and moderate in 28 feet. Preoperative X-ray examination showed that the hallux valgus angle (HVA) was (39.4±5.6)°, the first-second intermetatarsal angle (1-2IMA) was (15.2±3.5)°, the metatarsus adductus angle (MAA) was (21.2±3.7)°. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 51.7±10.0, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 4.9±2.7 before operation. Postoperative complications and the union time of osteotomies were recorded. At last follow-up, the HVA, 1-2IMA, and MAA were measured on X-ray films, and the AOFAS scores and VAS scores were recorded, then compared them with preoperative ones. Roles - Maudsley score was used to investigate patients’ satisfaction. Results All the incisions healed by first intention. Thirty patients were followed up 24-27 months (mean, 26.4 months). Three patients (4 feet) occured metatarsalgia, and the pain relieved after treated by Custom-Made Orthotics. All the osteotomies were unoin, the healing time was 2-4 months (mean, 2.7 months). At last follow-up, the HVA and the 1-2IMA were (13.2±3.1)° and (5.1±2.3)°, respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=14.606, P=0.000; t=22.356, P=0.000); the MAA was (21.0±3.4)° and there was no significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=0.789, P=0.434). The AOFAS and VAS scores were 91.8±7.5 and 1.1±1.0, respectively, showing signifiant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=13.787, P=0.000; t=14.781, P=0.000). Satisfaction survey showed that 28 patients were very satisfied and satisfied (93.3%), and 2 cases were not satisfied (6.7%). Conclusion The short-term effectiveness of Scarf osteotomy and Akin osteotomy combined with soft tissue procedures for hallux valgus associated with mild to moderate metatarsus adductus is satisfactory, and no correction is required for metatarsal adductus.