Change in First Metatarsal Length After Proximal and Distal Chevron Osteotomies for Hallux Valgus Deformity

The present study assessed the changes in the length of the first metatarsal bone after performing proximal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (PCMO) or distal Chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) for patients with hallux valgus deformity. A total of 60 patients with moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity from July 2009 to July 2011 were randomly divided into the PCMO and DCMO groups, with 30 patients in each group. The distal soft tissue procedure was performed in the same method for both groups. Measurements were performed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up visit at 6.1 ± 0.8 months. The postoperative length change with respect to the preoperative length was 0.7 ± 2.5 mm and −0.7 ± 5.1 mm for the PCMO and DCMO groups, respectively, with a slight lengthening of the first metatarsal bone in the PCMO group and a shortening in the DCMO group (p < .01). The follow-up length change with respect to the preoperative length was −2.1 ± 3.0 mm and −4.4 ± 2.2 mm for the PCMO and DCMO groups, respectively, demonstrating a clear shortening of the first metatarsal length at the last follow-up point in the DCMO group (p < .01).When DCMO and the distal soft tissue procedure were performed, significant shortening was found at 6 months of follow-up.