Objective: To explore clinical effect of Scarf osteotomy combined with soft tissue balance in treating severe hallux valgus.
Methods: Totally 38 patients(50 feet) with severe hallux valux who underwent Scarf osteotomy combined with soft tissue balance surgery from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, aged from 29 to 64 years old with an average of(54.7±6.8) years old; 26 feet on the left side and 24 feet on the right side;the courses of disease ranged from 5 to 23 years with an average of (12.4±3.9) years. Hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) were compared before and after operation, and postoperative complications was observed. American orthopedic foot ankle society(AOFAS) score before operation and final follow-up was used to evaluate recovery of forefoot function, and visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain relief.
Results: Thirty-eight patients (50 feet) were followed up from 15 to 23 months with an average of (18.3±3.2) months. Preoperative HVA, IMA and DMAA were (44.61±3.92)°, (18.74±2.51)°, (12.85±2.11)°, and improved to (13.45±2.13)°, (7.83±1.36)°, (7.03±1.39)°at final follow-up, which had statistical differneces(P<0.05). No delayed union or nonunion of osteotomy end, fracture or loosening of internal fixation, hallux varus occurred. VAS and AOFAS score improved from (6.81±2.14), (43.6±8.4)points before operation to (1.97±0.78), (87.6±5.2) points at final follow-up, which had statistical difference(P<0.01). According to AOFAS at final follow-up, 20 feet got excellent result, 28 feet good and 2 feet moderate.
Conclusion: Scarf osteotomy combined with soft tissue balance release for severe hallux valgus has good stability and corrective effect, but learning curve and postoperative complications should be paid attention.
Keywords: Hallux valgus; Osteotomy; Soft tissue release.