A Comparison of Radiographs of the Hallux Valgus and Normal Foot in Women over Forty Years Old on Weight-bearing and Wonweight-bearing

Lee, Won Ik; Kim, Byoung Suck; Ahn, Jae In

Abstract

To investigate changes in the radiographic appearance during weight-bearing in hallux valgus and examine the significance of the weight-bearing view, a comparative study was performed. Both normal and hallux valgus patients, who were all women over forty years old were studied. We reviewed radiographs of 100 normal feet in 50 patients and 70 symptomatic hallux valgus feet in 40 patients. Dorsoplantar radiographs were taken during weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing. Quantifiable angles were identified on dorsoplantar films in both the weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing positions. The measured angles were the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angles between the first and second metatarsals, the second and third metatarsals, the third and fourth metatarsals, the fourth and fifth metatarsals, the first and fifth metatarsals, and the second and fifth metatarsals, and the interphalangeal angle. The hallux valgus angles in both groups were not constant on weight-bearing, whereas the intermetatarsals angle between the first and second metatarsals in both groups increased significantly on weight-bearing. The results show that most of the changes thought to occur with weight-bearing cannot be consistently demonstrated. Obtaining a weight-bearing view may not be routinely indicated in all patients.