J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2007 Jun;11(1):23-27.

Multi-dimentional Correction of the Scarf Osteotomy for the Treatment of Hallux Valgus

• Moon GH
• Ahn GY
• Yun HH
• Lee YH
• Lee JI
• Nam IH

Abstract

PURPOSE: Scarf osteotomy can provide the simultaneous correction of the hallux valgus angle (HVA), 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA1-2), DMAA and the plantar displacement of the fragment. The study was conducted to understand the multi-dimensional correction of the hallux valgus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fourty eight patients who had undergone Scarf osteotomy with hallux valgus at more than 30 degrees of HVA and more than 15 degrees of IMA1-2 were studied. Before an osteotomy, a reference K-wire was inserted to the 1st metatarsal head. After the osteotomy, the plantar fragment was moved laterally and the proximal end of the fragment was forced beyond the distal end which resulted in an internal rotation of the head fragment to correct the DMAA.
RESULTS
The HVA improved an average of 33.3 degrees to 7.7 degrees with the IMA1-2 respectively from 15.4 degrees to 6.5 degrees. The DMAA improved an average of 19.5 degrees (5.2-30.9 degrees) to 4.5 degrees (0.4-13.8 degrees). By checking the angle, which was at an average of 25 degrees between the plantar surface of the foot and the osteotomy plane, the average distance of 1.9 mm (1.18-3.1 mm) of plantar displacement was measured using the value of sine (sin 25 = 0.422).
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to correct the HVA, IMA1-2 and DMAA simultaneously with one osteotomy making the lateral shift, the internal rotation and the plantar displacement of the plantar head fragment as desired. Despite the technicality and difficulty of the Scarf osteotomy, once familiarized through myriad procedures, all disadvantages are outweighed by the success and satisfaction of both patient and surgeon.

Keyword

Great toe; Hallux valgus; Scarf osteotomy

MeSH Terms

Foot
Hallux Valgus*
Hallux*
Head
Humans
Metatarsal Bones
Osteotomy*