Hallux valgus is a lateral deviation of the first phalanx and medial deviation of the first metatarsal at the first metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint. Its incidence has increased due to developing footwear. The etiologies include fashion footwear, genetic causes, anatomical abnormality around the foot, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuromuscular disorders. Physiologic alignment of the first MP joint is maintained by congruent and symmetric alignment of the articular surface of the first proximal phalanx and first metatarsal head, physiologic relationship of the distal first metatarsal articular surface and the first metatarsal shaft axis, and stable balance of soft tissue around the first MP joint and stable tarsometatarsal joint. Several factors have been associated with hallux valgus, including pes planus, hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint, flattened shape of the first metatarsal head, increased distal metatarsal articular angle, and deformation of the medial capsular integrity. History and physical examination are very important to diagnosis of hallux valgus. Simple radiography provides information on deformity, particularly in weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Understanding the etiologies and pathophysiology is very important for success in treatment of patients with hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus, or a 'bunion', is a deformity characterized by lateral deviation of the big toe. Surgery is indicated when conservative treatments have failed to result in improvement of symptoms. Operative techniques include simple bunionectomy, distal soft tissue procedure, phalangeal osteotomy, metatarsal osteotomy (distal, shaft, or proximal), arthrodesis (metatarsophalangeal or tarsometatarsal), or resection arthroplasty. Good results are expected when the selection of operative technique is based on the correct treatment principle.

Purpose: This study was conducted among patients with moderate to severe hallux valgus who underwent distal chevron osteotomy and groups of patients with or without Akin osteotomy were compared for evaluation of the relationship between their radiological and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to January 2012, among patients with moderate to severe hallux valgus who underwent distal chevron osteotomy at our institution, 28 cases with additional Akin osteotomy and 35 cases without Akin osteotomy available to follow up of more than one year were included in this study. For radiologic evaluation, hallux valgus angle, 1, 2 intermetatarsal angle, and hallux interphalangeal angle were measured before and after surgery. For clinical assessment, visual analogue scale score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, subjective satisfaction of the patients, and passive range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joints were evaluated. Results: At the final follow up, correction of valgus hallux angle and 1, 2 intermetatarsal angle was obtained from radiation results of both groups and it was found that patients who underwent Akin osteotomy showed radiographically larger angle correction but less subjective satisfaction. Conclusion: Patients with moderate to severe hallux valgus who underwent distal chevron osteotomy showed not only functional but also radiographically satisfactory results, and patients who underwent additional Akin osteotomy showed decreased subjective satisfaction. Therefore, if an incongruent first metatarsophalangeal joint is not observed, distal chevron osteotomy without Akin osteotomy seems preferable.

Purpose: Reconstructive surgeries for equinocavovarus foot deformities are quite variable, including hind-midfoot osteotomy or arthrodesis, soft tissue procedure, tendon transfers, etc. Comprehensive evaluation of the deformity and its etiology is mandatory for achievement of successful deformity correction. Few studies in this field have been reported. We report on the clinical and radiographic outcome of reconstruction for cavovarus foot deformities. Materials and Methods: The study is based on 16 feet with cavovarus foot deformities that underwent bony and soft tissue reconstructive surgery from 2004 to 2008. We evaluated the etiologies, varieties of surgical procedures performed, pain score, functional scores, and patient satisfaction and measured the radiographic parameters. Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 39.4 years old, with a male/female ratio of 9/4 and an average follow-up period of 23.9 months (range, 12~49 months). The etiologies of the cavovarus deformity were idiopathic 7 feet, residual poliomyelitis 5 feet, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2 feet, and Guillain-Barre syndrome and hemiplegia due to cerebrovascular accident sequela 1 foot each. Lateral sliding calcaneal osteotomies were performed in 12 feet (75%), followed by Achilles tendon lengthening and plantar fascia release in 11 feet (69%), and first metatarsal dorsiflexion osteotomy/arthrodesis and tendon transfer in 10 feet (63%). Visual analogue scale pain score showed improvement, from an average of 4.2 to 0.5 points. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score showed significant improvement, from 47.8 to 90.0 points (p<0.05). All patients were satisfied. Ankle range of motion improved from $27.5^{\circ}$ to $46.7^{\circ}$. In radiographic measurements, calcaneal pitch angle improved from $19.1^{\circ}$ to $15.8^{\circ}$, Meary angle from $13.0^{\circ}$ to $9.3^{\circ}$, Hibb's angle from $44.3^{\circ}$ to $37.0^{\circ}$, and tibio-calcaneal axis angle from varus $17.5^{\circ}$ to varus $1.5^{\circ}$ Conclusion: We achieved successful correction of cavovarus foot deformities by performing appropriate comprehensive reconstructive procedures with improved functional, radiographic measures and high patient satisfaction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the results of culture test at the time of removal of metal devices used for management of ankle fractures and for analysis of contributing factors. Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records of 132 patients with lower tibia and ankle fracture who had their metal devices removed during the period from January 2010 to February 2014. Patients with clinical signs of infection were excluded. Culture test was performed by taking the granulation tissue around the metal device at the time of removal. We divided the subjects into two groups, culture positive and negative. We then performed a retrospective review of each medical record of multiple factors that might contribute to the culture results, including laboratory results, medical history, material and size of metal device, indwelling period, and whether or not it was open injury. Results: Among 132 cases, six were culture positive. Enterococcus was detected in two cases and the others were Staphylococcus. No significant difference in medical history of patients and laboratory results, including C-reactive protein level, was observed between the culture positive and negative group. Culture positive rate was 5.4% in titanium and 3.9% in stainless steel. In terms of metal size, culture positive rate was 5.1% in small plates, 6.7% in large plates, and culture negative in intramedullary nails. The average indwelling period of metal device was 61.5 weeks in the culture positive group, and 68.6 weeks in the negative group. Nine cases were open fractures and all were in the culture negative group. Conclusion: Whether or not the culture result was positive, there were no meaningful contributing factors. Presence of bacterium on the metal device could not be screened by any laboratory results or other factors.

We experienced a patient in whom rupture of the peroneus longus tendon occurred after ostectomy of the peroneus tubercle of the calcaneus. Acute rupture of the peroneus tendon can be managed by end-to-end anastomosis, while neglected cases can be treated by tenodesis, tendon transfer, or tendon graft. In the current patient, the tendon ends were mildly retracted, yielding a small gap. We successfully repaired the retracted tendon ends after lengthening by Z-plasty.

In treatment of failure in ankle joint replacement therapy, talar avascular necrosis with massive bone defect, talus fracture with severe comminution and bone defect and ankle dislocation, treatment of large bone defects is considerably important for ankle joint stability and union, therefore, the choice of treatment for large bone defects is use of femoral head or iliac crest bone graft and rigid internal fixation. Because first generation total ankle arthroplasty performed for the first time using a cemented fixation technique requires a large amount of bone resection during re-surgery and there is some possibility of a larger bone defect after removal of implants, in cases where prosthesis for the defect is needed, performance of palliative femoral head or iliac crest bone graft and rigid internal fixation can be difficult. We report on a case of a 48-year-old woman who had experienced ankle pain for 25 years since undergoing total ankle arthroplasty. Because the patient had little ankle motion and rigid soft tissue despite a large bone defect caused by aseptic loosening, a good outcome was obtained only for the femoral cancellous bone graft using allo femoral head without internal fixation.

Occurrence of pseudoaneurysm in the foot and ankle is rare, and is usually caused by traumatic injury or by iatrogenic intervention. Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms in the foot and ankle have been observed after rearfoot and ankle fusions, ankle arthroscopy, endoscopic and open plantar fasciotomy, tibial osteotomy with limb lengthening, midfoot amputation, and Lapidus procedure. We report on a patient who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the dorsal metatarsal artery following correction of hallux valgus. The patient underwent proximal chevron osteotomy and Akin phalangeal osteotomy. The feeding artery was ligated and the pseudoaneurysm was excised.

Postpoliomyelitis syndrome is a common neurological disorder that occurs in patients who have experienced paralytic poliomyelitis. Recently, as a result of vaccination against poliovirus, incidence of poliomyelitis is exceedingly low. However, many patients with postpolio syndrome may encounter anesthesia when undergoing surgery, such as for correction of foot deformity and other operations. We report on a 45-year-old woman who experienced paralysis of her contralateral limb after operation on the left foot under spinal anesthesia. Postoperative electromyography/nerve conduction study (EMG/NCS) was performed in order to determine the cause of paralysis. Motor power of the sequelae involved leg showed improvement with time and recovered fully to the preoperative level at six months after the index operation. A precise evaluation, including a physical examination and EMG/NCS, should be performed preoperatively when spinal anesthesia is planned for postpolio syndrome patients.