Background: There is interest in hallux valgus deformity correction using internal fixation with the minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (MICA) technique. The objective of this study was to assess the correction measured on postoperative radiographs and clinical outcomes, using validated outcome measures, at 2 years following third-generation MICA. Methods: This is a prospective single-surgeon case series of 333 consecutive feet that underwent MICA surgery between July 2014 and April 2018. The primary clinical outcome measures included the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) Index, EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and a VAS for pain (VAS-pain). Secondary outcome measures included radiographic parameters and complication rates. Results: Preoperative and 2-year postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected for 292 feet (87.7%). At a minimum 2-year follow-up, the MOXFQ scores (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) had improved in each domain—i.e., reduced from 44.5 ± 21.0 preoperatively to 9.4 ± 15.8 postoperatively for pain (p < 0.001), from 38.7 ± 23.4 to 6.5 ± 14.6 for walking and standing (p < 0.001), and from 48.0 ± 22.3 to 6.6 ± 13.5 for social interaction (p < 0.001). The VAS-pain score improved from 31.4 ± 22.7 preoperatively to 8.4 ± 16.4 at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.001), the 1-2 intermetatarsal angle was reduced from 15.3° ± 3.6° preoperatively to 5.7° ± 3.2° at the 2-year follow-up (p < 0.001), and the hallux valgus angle was reduced from 32.9° ± 10.2° to 8.7° ± 5.2° (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The third-generation MICA provided significant improvement in clinical outcome measures at the 2-year follow-up and can be successfully used for correction of a range of hallux valgus deformities with a low rate of symptomatic recurrence. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Category: Bunion; Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Hallux valgus deformity correction using a third-generation Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin osteotomy technique (MICA) is becoming increasingly popular. There is limited patient reported outcome measure (PROM) outcomes for patients undergoing bilateral hallux valgus corrective MICA surgery during a single operative case. Methods: Between July 2014 and May 2018, 59 consecutive patients comprising 118 feet underwent bilateral MICA in a single operative case. 1:1 propensity score matching based on preoperative PROM assessment, age, and radiographic deformity data was carried out to match each foot in the bilateral cohort with 118 feet who had undergone unilateral MICA. The primary outcome measure was the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) which was prospectively measured pre-operatively, six months and two years post-operatively. Secondary outcomes included complication rates and radiographic deformity correction with regards to the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and inter-metatarsal angle (IMA). Results: At minimum 2 year follow up, the MOXFQ post-operative scores had significantly improved for every domain (p 0.05 for all outcome measures). There was no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts in complication rate (p=>0.05) or post-operative IMA or HVA (p >0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is no significant difference in patient reported outcome measured at two year follow-up between patients who underwent bilateral versus unilateral MICA. This study should reassure surgeons who perform bilateral hallux valgus surgery in a single case that, in the medium-term, there is no difference in clinical or radiographic PROMs compared to unilateral surgery. There are potentially positive health economic benefits of performing bilateral surgery in a single sitting if clinically indicated.

Category: Bunion; Lesser Toes; Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: There is widespread variation in the optimal procedure for correction of severe hallux valgus deformity. Severe hallux valgus (defined as hallux valgus angle (HVA) (>=40°) and/or 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) (>=20°)) is associated with increased complication rates including recurrence, delayed or non-union and metatarsal shortening with transfer metatarsalgia. There is limited evidence investigating the clinical or radiological outcomes following treatment of severe hallux valgus deformity with third-generation minimally invasive chevron and akin osteotomies (MICA). Objective: The primary aim was to investigate clinical patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) two years following surgery and the radiographic deformity correction for patients undergoing third-generation MICA for severe hallux valgus deformity. Methods: Prospective observational single surgeon series of consecutive patients who underwent primary third-generation MICA with screw fixation for severe hallux valgus. The primary outcome was a validated patient reported outcome measure, the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), assessed minimum 2 years following MICA. Secondary outcomes were radiographic deformity correction, complication rates and other quality of life PROMs (EQ-5D and Visual Analogue Pain Scale). Results: Between September 2014 and May 2018, 106 consecutive feet (n=78 patients; 73 female, 5 male) met the inclusion criteria. Prospectively collected pre-operative and 2 year PROM MOXFQ data was available for 86 feet (81.1%). At two years following surgery, the MOXFQ score significantly improved for the Pain, Walking and Standing and Social Interaction domains from 39.2 to 7.5, 38.2 to 5.9 and 48.6 to 5.5, respectively (p<0.001). Pre- and post-operative radiographic data was available for all 106 feet. Mean IMA following surgery improved from 18.2° to 6.3° (p<0.001) whilst mean HVA improved from 45.3° to 10.9° (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated third-generation MICA for the treatment of severe hallux valgus deformity can achieve significant improvements in clinical PROMs and radiographic deformity correction.