Hallux valgus and hallux rigidus in sports

Abstract

Hallux valgus and hallux rigidus are the two most frequent pathologies around the MTP-1-joint.Hallux valgus is more common in the general population, and hallux rigidus is morecommon among athlethes. Stiffness of the MTP-1-joint is one of the most dreaded complicationsafter hallux surgery. In the case of recreational sports, hallux valgus and rigidus canbe treated in the same way as in the general population. Professional athletes require a differenttreatment. Surgery should be delayed as long as possible because there is a high riskof potentially career-ending scarring of the joint. For hallux valgus in professional athletes,the aim is to convert a decompensated bunion into a compensated one. This can usually beachieved with a simple chevron osteotomy, which has a low risk of scarring and complications.More extensive surgery should be delayed until the end of the competitive career. Inthe case of hallux rigidus, a simple cheilectomie, possibly with an additional closing wedgeosteotomy of the proximal phalanx and/or shorting of the distal first metatarsal, is sufficient.More extensive surgery, again, ought to be delayed until the end of the competitive career.To decrease the risk of scarring, minimal invasive surgical techniques should be used morefrequently for treatment of hallux valgus and rigidus.