Percutaneous hallux valgus surgery in children: short-term outcomes of 33 cases

Abstract

Background: Many surgical procedures for hallux valgus correction have been reported, including percutaneous techniques. In children, the risk of recurrent hallux valgus after any type of surgical correction seems to deserve attention. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the outcomes of percutaneous hallux valgus surgery in children. Here, we report a study on this topic.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 33 percutaneous surgical procedures to correct idiopathic hallux valgus in 18 children younger than 16 years of age. Radiographs obtained pre-operatively and at last follow-up were used to determine the hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and a satisfaction score.

Results: Mean follow-up was 30 months. At surgery, mean age was 12.5 years and the growth plates were open in 20/33 (61%) cases. Mean HVA correction was 8.6° (from 28.06° to 19.45°, P<0.01) and mean DMAA correction was 7° (from 15.97° to 8.97°, P<0.01). At last follow-up, 20 (61%) feet had HVA values greater than 16°, but in half these cases the patients reported being satisfied with the procedure, leaving 30% of feet with symptomatic under-correction. Mean post-operative AOFAS score was 80.7. Patients were satisfied or very satisfied for 24/33 (73%) feet.

Discussion: We found a high-rate of radiographic under-correction. Studies of factors associated with recurrent hallux valgus would be expected to result in technical improvements and therefore in better outcomes.

Conclusion: Our evaluation of short-term outcomes after percutaneous hallux valgus surgery without internal fixation showed both a high-rate of under-correction and a high-rate of patient satisfaction. Medium-term studies are needed to determine whether these results are sustained over time. The available data suggest a number of technical improvements. At present, we plan to continue to offer this procedure to children and their families.

Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective study.