CHEVRON OR WILSON METATARSAL OSTEOTOMY FOR HALLUX VALGUS

We compared the chevron and the Wilson metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus in a prospective randomised trial on 87 feet in 51 patients, reviewed at averages of 5.5 and 38 months after operation. The patients in the chevron group returned to work earlier and mobilised faster, but, at the later review, those in the Wilson group had better functional results and were more satisfied with the appearance of the foot. Correction ofthe hallux valgus angle was better maintained in patients in the Wilson group and they had a better range of motion at the metatarsophalangeal joint; fewer complained of metatarsalgia. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1993; 75-B:825-9. More than 130 operations have been described for hallux valgus (Kelikian 1965). The ‘chevron osteotomy ’ uses a horizontal ‘V ’ division of the fIrst metatarsal head to correct the deformity (Johnson, Cofield and Morrey 1979; Austin and Leventen 1981; Lewis and Feffer 1981), and has been reported to give good results with few complications (Home, Tanzer and Ford 1984). Mann (1982) has warned, however, that the potential compli-cations include avascular necrosis, malalignment of the metatarsal head, excessive shortening of the metatarsal, and overcorrection. The Wilson osteotomy is a simple procedure whic