Plantar pressure improvement in moderate hallux valgus with modified chevron osteotomy: Clinical and radiographic outcomes

•Preoperative peak pressures were higher from second to fourth metatarsal head.•Preoperative peak pressure under second metatarsal head showed a negative correlation with preoperative AOFAS score.•No significant correlation between preoperative visual analogue scale and peak or mean pressure in any foot region was found. Hallux valgus (HV) is widely treated by Chevron osteotomy (CO); however, a modified CO may improve patient outcomes and recovery. A prospective study was designed to analyze plantar pressure measurements and clinical and radiographic outcomes of a modified CO for HV. Recruitment was between February 2016 and February 2017. Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of moderate HV; an indication for surgical correction due to discomfort, pain or difficulty with shoe wear; and age over 18 years. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) guidelines and a visual analog scale (VAS). Forty-four patients met inclusion criteria. After surgery, the highest percentage in mean pressure was in the first and fifth metatarsal heads. At 12 months’ follow-up, the AOFAS score improved, but differences in VAS scale were only significant at baseline. Modified CO is a good option for people with HV, improving foot activity compared to preoperative levels while limiting the time needed for recovery.