RADIOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF METATARSUS PRIMUS VARUS - 45 FEET FOLLOWED 15 MONTHS AFTER DISTAL METATARSAL OSTEOTOMY AND LATERAL SOFT-TISSUE RELEASE

We analyzed standardized radiographs of 45 feet in 41 patients with sy mptomatic hallux valgus and an intermetatarsal angle of 17(15-23) degr ees 15(9-24) months after distal metatarsal osteotomy and lateral soft -tissue releases, A mean reduction in the Il-intermetatarsal angle of 12 degrees and hallux valgus angle of 24 degrees was found. On average , the metatarsus primus varus angle improved by 4 degrees, the I-inter metatarsal angle by 3 degrees and the inclination angle of the first c uneiform by 4 degrees. We conclude that this operation corrects the me tatarsus primus varus, without substantially altering the alignment of the long axis of the first metatarsal.