Search Results
Abstract
Background: An abnormal hallux interphalangeal angle may be an important risk factor for the recurrence of ingrown toenails.
Methods: In this study, sixty pediatric patients who underwent surgery for an ingrown toenail were evaluated retrospectively in terms of recurrence. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 30 patients (22 male, 8 female) with hallux valgus interphalangeal deformity. Group 2 included 30 patients (20 male, 10 female) without toe deformity.
Results: The mean age was 12.8±1.42 years and 12.5±1.45 years for patients in Group 1 and in Group 2 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the patient and control group in terms of age and gender (p>0.05). The mean follow-up time was 40 months. We observed recurrence in six patients (20%) in Group 1 and in 2 patients (6.6%) in Group 2.
Conclusion: We concluded that the recurrence of an ingrown toenail may be associated with increased hallux interphalangeal angle in pediatric patients. Factors related to the hallux interphalangeal angle abnormality, which increases the risk of ingrown toenails, also increase the recurrence rate in these patients. Therefore, it is surmised that hallux valgus interphalangeal deformity should be evaluated before surgery, and patients and their families should be informed about the risk of increased recurrence.
Background
Excessive deviation of the distal phalanx in abduction frequently occurs in advanced stages of hallux rigidus but not in hallux valgus. Therefore, theoretically there should be no significant differences in the hallux interphalangeal angle (HIPA) between individuals with normal feet, those with hallux valgus, and those with mild hallux limitus. The objective of the present study was thus to determine if significant differences in HIPA exist in the early stages of hallux valgus or hallux limitus deformities.
Methods
The hallux interphalangeal angle was measured in three groups of participants: a control group with normal feet (45 participants), a hallux valgus group (49 participants), and a hallux limitus group (48 participants). Both of the pathologies were at an early stage. A dorsoplantar radiograph under weightbearing conditions was taken for each individual, and measurements (HIPA and hallux abductus angle [HAA]) were taken using AutoCAD (Autodesk Inc, San Rafael, California) software. Intergroup comparisons of HIPA, and correlations between HIPA, HAA, and hallux dorsiflexion were calculated.
Results
The comparisons revealed no significant differences in the values of HIPA between any of the groups (15.2 ± 5.9 degrees in the control group, 15.5 ± 3.9 degrees in the hallux valgus group, and 16.15 ± 4.3 in the hallux limitus group; P = 0.634). The Pearson correlation coefficients in particular showed no correlation between hallux dorsiflexion, HAA, and HIPA.
Conclusions
For the study participants, there were similar deviations of the distal phalanx of the hallux with respect to the proximal phalanx in normal feet and in feet with the early stages of the hallux limitus and hallux valgus deformities.
Radiographic Measurements of the Affected and Unaffected Feet in Patients with Unilateral Hallux Limitus
A Case-Control Pilot Study
Background: Controversy exists regarding the structural and functional causes of hallux limitus, including metatarsus primus elevatus, a long first metatarsal, first-ray hypermobility, the shape of the first metatarsal head, and the presence of hallux interphalangeus. Some articles have reported on the radiographic evaluation of these measurements in feet affected by hallux limitus, but no study has directly compared the affected and unaffected feet in patients with unilateral hallux limitus. This case-control pilot study aimed to establish whether any such differences exist.
Methods: Dorsoplantar and lateral weightbearing radiographs of both feet in 30 patients with unilateral hallux limitus were assessed for grade of disease, lateral intermetatarsal angle, metatarsal protrusion distance, plantar gapping at the first metatarsocuneiform joint, metatarsal head shape, and hallux abductus interphalangeus angle. Data analysis was performed using a statistical software program.
Results: Mean radiographic measurements for affected and unaffected feet demonstrated that metatarsus primus elevatus, a short first metatarsal, first-ray hypermobility, a flat metatarsal head shape, and hallux interphalangeus were prevalent in both feet. There was no statistically significant difference between feet for any of the radiographic parameters measured (Mann-Whitney U tests, independent-samples t tests, and Pearson χ2 tests: P > .05).
Conclusions: No significant differences exist in the presence of the structural risk factors examined between affected and unaffected feet in patients with unilateral hallux limitus. The influence of other intrinsic factors, including footedness and family history, should be investigated further.
