Tibial Torsion and Knee Varus Angle: Are These Aetiologies of Hallux Valgus?

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate that knee deformity (varus or valgus) due to osteoarthritis of the knee and tibial torsion could be aetiologies of hallux valgus. Methods Forty-nine patients (43 females, six males; mean patient age, 69.88 ± 6.12 years) before total knee arthroplasty for advanced primary osteoarthritis were recruited. All deformities were of the left knee. Preoperative torsional computed tomography, anteroposterior (AP) and lateral weight-bearing foot radiographs, AP and lateral weight-bearing knee radiographs, and long-leg standing AP views were obtained for each patient. The correlations between foot angle and knee varus angle or tibial torsion angle were examined. Results There was no significant correlation between knee varus angle and foot angle. Similarly, there was no significant relationship between tibial torsional angle and foot angle, except talocalcaneal angle (TCA)-lateral (r=0.28). No significant relationships were found between TCA-AP and (1–2 intermetatarsal angle [IMA] and hallux valgus angle [HVA]), or between TCA-lateral and (1–2 IMA and HVA). Conclusion No significant correlations were found between the knee anatomical axis (knee varus angle) and foot angle or between the tibial torsional angle and foot angle. Tibial torsion and knee varus angle were not aetiologies for hallux valgus. Key words: Hallux valgus; Aetiologies; Tibial torsion; Varus knee angle