Foot thickness and swelling after hallux valgus correction with the Reverdin-Isham procedure: a 4-month follow-up study

The objective of this study was to assess the time course of inflammation of the anterior part of the foot in patients undergoing surgical correction of hallux valgus. The study population consisted of 85 patients (146 feet) who underwent a Reverdin-Isham operation by minimal incision surgery. A comparison of preoperative findings with measures taken at 6 and 16 weeks showed 8.94 and 8.34 cm for width of the anterior foot; 22.92, 22.52 and 21.87 cm for the circumference of the anterior foot; 3.79, 3.81, and 3.64 cm for thickness of the first metatarsal head; 8.34, 8.96, and 8.38 cm for the circumference of the first finger; and 2.12, 2.36, and 2.06 cm for thickness of the first finger. The five parameters showed an association with the angles of the first axis of the foot, greater preoperative hallux valgus as well as proximal and distal metatarsal articular angles, greater swelling of the anterior part of the foot postoperatively. The greater the postoperative decrease of the intermetatarsal angle, the higher the reduction of postoperative swelling.