Fixation of the Chevron Osteotomy With an Absorbable Copolymer Pin for Treatment of Hallux Valgus Deformity

This study investigated the use of a bioabsorbable pin made of an oriented poly-L-lactic acid/polyglycolic acid (82:18 ratio) copolymer to fix distal chevron osteotomies in 15 patients (18 feet), with an average follow-up of 18 months. This material absorbs faster than poly-L-lactic acid and slower than poly-p-dioxanone, 2 bioabsorbable polymers that have a clinical history in fixation of distal chevron osteotomies. The average intermetatarsal angle significantly decreased from 11.9±1.7° to 0.9±3.8° (P< .001) while the average hallux valgus angle significantly decreased from 19.4±4.7° to 6.2±6.4° (P< .001). The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score averaged 44.6±15.1, which increased significantly to 87.4±14.9 (P< .001) postoperatively. In 1 procedure, a giant cell granuloma developed that was treated with debridement. Overall, these results were comparable to those derived from the use of other methods of fixation used for bunionectomies.