ARTHRODESIS VERSUS RESECTION ARTHROPLASTY FOR FAILED HALLUX-VALGUS OPERATIONS

The results for 18 patients (20 feet) in whom a hallux valgus procedur e had failed were reviewed, Ten patients (11 feet), with a mean age of 63 years, had correction with Keller resection arthroplasty and were observed for an average of 10 years (range, 3-15 years), The hallux va lgus angle improved an average of 11 degrees +/- 3 degrees, and the in termetatarsal angle improved an average of 2 degrees +/- 1.7 degrees, Results were good in six feet, fair in four, and poor in one, Eight pa tients (nine feet), with a mean age of 63 years, had correction with a rthrodesis and were observed for an average of 5 years (range, 2-8 yea rs), The hallux valgus angle improved an average of 23 degrees +/- 6.9 degrees, and the intermetatarsal angle improved an average of 2 degre es +/- 3 degrees, Results were good in six feet, fair in two, and poor in one, There were differences between the two operations in terms of patient satisfaction, pain relief, appearance, and footwear, The inci dence of metatarsalgia was similar for the two groups, Complications, particularly malalignment, were more common in the resection group, No ne of the patients required additional revision operation, Resection a rthroplasty is a simple procedure and does not require cast immobiliza tion, Resection arthroplasty and arthrodesis are reasonable options fo r salvage treatment of failed hallux valgus operations in older patien ts because good results were achieved in six: of nine (67 %) feet afte r arthrodesis and in sis of 11 (54 %) feet after resection.