A prospective cohort study investigating the effects of the combined scarf and akin osteotomy, with or without 2/3 digital correction, on pain and quality of life 6 months post-surgery

Abstract

Background: Hallux valgus is a common deformity of the forefoot that affects the first ray and may lead to pain. The mainstay of treatment is operative correction and this commonly involves a combination of scarf and Akin osteotomies. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the combined scarf and Akin osteotomy for Hallux valgus deformity (with or without 2/3 digital correction) on pain levels and health related quality of life 6 months postoperative.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out. Thirty adult participants with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of hallux valgus were recruited, one was lost to follow-up. A combined scarf and Akin osteotomy with or without 2/3 digital correction was carried out. Participants were asked to complete the outcomes of VAS for foot pain and the health Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) for quality of life before and six months post-surgery.

Results: Mean age was 59 (SD10) years with 14% males and 86% females. Median VAS pain score reduced from 6 to 0 (p<0.0001). The health MOXFQ domains for foot pain decreased from 60 to 5 (p<0.0001), walking/standing from 50 to 0 (p<0.0001) and social interaction from 50 to 0 (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: This study has international impact and contributes to current evidence that the combined scarf and Akin osteotomy with or without 2/3 digital correction is effective in the operative management of symptomatic hallux valgus foot deformity with improvements in pain and health related quality of life by 6 months post-surgery.