How to plan hallux valgus operative treatment

The study puts forward the principles for qualifying patients for surgical treatment of hallux valgus. When preparing a patient with a hallux valgus deformity of unknown (idiopathic) etiology for surgical treatment, we take into consideration the following factors: the patient’s history (age, complaints, foot/shoe conflict, physical activity), systemic disease exclusion, an assessment of the deformity in a clinical examination, a-p and lateral foot radiograms in the standing posture as well as oblique projections, drawings of the radiographic parameters, the choice of a surgical technique. The surgical technique is selected on the basis of a clinical examination and a radiogram in the standing posture. The decisive factor is the location of the intervention and not the operator’s fascination with a given technique. Complex elimination of deformities is preferred. The surgeon’s competence must be aided by equipment necessary to execute the intervention with precision.