Abstract
Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the impact of the lesser toe operation on the overall clinical outcomes, and to analyze the clinical results of concomitant surgery for hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities. Materials and Methods: Forty-six cases underwent surgery for hallux valgus with concomitant lesser toe deformities were followed up for at least 1 year. Lesser toe deformities consisted of 9 crossover toes, 10 claw toes, 12 hammer toes and 15 bunionettes. Clinical evaluation was performed according to AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) score, patient's satisfaction score, and pain VAS (visual analogue scale) score. Hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and period to union were measured. Preoperative expectation about lesser toe deformities, postoperative satisfaction, complication rate, hospitalization period, medical expenses, and frequency of outpatient follow-up were analyzed. Results: AOFAS score, VAS score, HAV and IMA had improved significantly. On preoperative expectation of patients, correction of lesser toe deformities was ranked third, following the improvement of big toe(bunion) pain and the correction of hallux valgus. Patient's satisfaction score was average 92.8 points, and the importance of lesser toe operation was 30.2%. When compared to hallux valgus operation only, there were average 2.5 days of additional hospitalization, 2.4 times of additional outpatient follow-up, 386000 won of additional medical expenses. Conclusion: Combined operation for hallux valgus and concomitant lesser toe deformities showed good clinical results. When compared to hallux valgus operation only, there were longer hospitalization, more frequent follow-up, more medical expenses, more complications. However, lesser toe deformity correction in patients underwent hallux valgus operation is considerable, because of high preoperative expectation and postoperative satisfaction.
