Foot and Ankle Conditions Flashcards
What is hallux valgus?
“BUNION”
Deformity of the great toe, whereby the hallux moves towards the second toe - can overly the second toe
Tendons pull the toe laterally, seamoid bones sublux
What sex does hallux valgus more commonly occur in?
Female
What risk factors contribute to the development of hallux valgus?
- Age
- Family history
- Hypermobility
- Footwear
- Neuromuscular disease
What is the following deformity?

Hallux valgus - abducted hallux, adducted metatarsal, MTPJ angle >14.5o
What other features, beside the classic deformity, are associated with hallux valgus?
- Pain - Pressure symptoms from wearing shoes
- Evidence of hypermobility
How would you investigate hallux valgus?
- Clinical diagnosis
- Imaging - X-ray
What non-operative measures could you take to help manage someone with hallux valgus?
- Shoe wear modification (wide +/- high toe box)
- Orthotics to offload pressure/correct deformity
- Activity modification
- Analgesia
What surgical options are available for the treatment of hallux valgus?
Only indicated in painful bunions, not for aesthetic purposes
- Lateral soft tissue release
- Osteotomy - 1st metatarsal +/- proximal phalanx
What is hallux rigidus?
Osteoarthritis of the 1st MTPJ
How does hallux rigidus present?
- Asymptomatic
- Pain - dorsiflexion, on walking
- Limited ROM - dorsiflexion

What general measures can be taken to manage someone with hallux rigidus?
- Activity modification
- Shoewear with rigid sole
- Analgesia
What surgical options are available for someone with hallux rigidus?
- Arthrodesis - MTPJ fusion - GOLD STANDARD
- Chielectomy - remove dorsal impingement
- Arthroplasty - good option to maintain range of motion, high failure rate
What is a cheilectomy?
Surgical procedure involving the removal of osteophytes from around a degenerate joint to regain further function and ROM. It is most commonly performed on those with hallux rigidus to remove dorsal impingement

What are the main lesser toe deformities?
- Hammer toe
- Mallet Toe
- Claw toe

What toe deformity can be seen here?

Claw toe - extended MTPJ, Flexed PIP and DIP

What toe deformity can be seen here?

Mallet toe - Normal MTPJ, Neutral PIP, Flexed DIP

What toe deformity can be seen here?

Hammer toe - Extended MTPJ, Flexed PIP, Extended/neutral DIP

What can cause lesser toe deformities?
Imbalance between flexors/extensors
Trauma
- Shoewear
Degenerative
- Neurological
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Besides actual deformity, what other features can be present in lesser toe deformities?
- Pain - Dorsum/Plantar side
- Calluses
- Hallux valgus
- Progression to fixed deformity
What should always be inestigated for in the presence of lesser toe deformities?
- Presence of diabetic foot
- Neurological status
- Musculature
What non-operative measures could you employ to manage lesser toe deformities?
- Activity modification
- Shoewear – flat hoes with high toe box to accommodate deformity
- Orthotic insoles – metatarsal bar/dome support
What surgical options are available to manage lesser toe deformities?
- Flexor to extensor transfer
- Fusion of IP joint
- MTPJ release
- Shortening osteotomy of metatarsal

What is interdigital neuralgia?
“Morton’s Neuroma”
Perineural Fibrosis of an intermetatarsal nerve

Where is the most common location for a Morton’s neuroma to develop?
3rd/4th webspace




















