Results after distal Austin and proximal displacement osteotomy: therapy for hallux valgus

Abstract

Correction osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone are the methods of choice for the therapy of hallux valgus in the absence of significant arthrotic changes in the metatarsophalangeal joint. Distal and proximal osteotomies are indicated, depending on the intermetatarsal angle. Fifty-eight patients were followed-up after an average of 12.8 months. The Austin osteotomy was used in 28 patients. The base wedge osteotomy was performed in 30 cases. Evaluation was done using an adaptation of the Miehlke score. After proximal displacement osteotomy, the results were very good and good in 27 cases. Complications occurred in two cases of non-union and one case of recurrent hallux valgus. After the Austin osteotomy, ‘good’ and ‘very good’ results were achieved in 23 cases. There were recurrences in seven cases with a borderline high intermetatarsal angle. The mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint is significantly better after base wedge osteotomy.