The effectiveness of distal soft tissue procedures in hallux valgus.

Background: Hallux valgus is a common disorder affecting mostly women population. Distal soft tissue procedure in the treatment of hallux valgus is one of the main operative techniques described. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of McBride's distal soft tissue procedure in hallux valgus cases.

Materials And Methods: This study includes 30 patients (27 women) having 31 hallux valgus, who were treated between 1999 and 2004. Modified McBride's distal soft tissue procedure was carried out in all cases. Pain status of the cases was recorded by using VAS, clinical assessment described by Bonney and Macnab, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's (AOFAS) score at the last follow up.

Results: The mean hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles decreased from 31.4 degrees and 13.8 degrees to 13.5 degrees and 10.5 degrees , respectively, with an average follow-up period of 54.4 months. AOFAS's score displayed significant improvement from 57 to 87. The mean VAS showed a significant decrease from 8.75 preoperatively to 2.1 at the last follow-up. According to Bonney and Macnab criteria, only one case was accepted as poor result due to 5 degrees hallux varus.

Conclusions: McBride's distal soft tissue procedure yields high rate of satisfaction for mild to moderate hallux valgus with no bony complications related to osteotomy.