Does Hallux Valgus Occur after Second Toe Transfer

Second toe transfer is widely used to reconstruct digital defects or deformities. But it could cause any potentials for occurrence of hallux valgus. So the authors has evaluated the occurrence of hallux valgus after second toe transfer. The authors retrospectively analysed the results of 20 cases of second toe transfer which were performed from July 1997 to June 2001 in Pusan National University Hospital. To evaluate the occurrence of hallux valgus, we compared preoperative hallux valgus angles and first-second intermetatarsal angles with those of postoperative results. Also the clinical evaluation of patients' subjective assessment and foot pressure meter was used to compare the donor foot with normal foot after operation. Although hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle were increased to a few degrees after second toe harvesting, but there were no statistical significances(p>.05). According to the patients' subjective assessment, none of the patients showed clinically significant valgus deformities. By a foot pressure meter, no specific different results were detected between donor foot and normal foot. In conclusion, the second toe can be harvested safely without fear of causing hallux valgus in the donor foot if the metatarsal bone is not involved in harvesting.