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Item does not contain fulltext, BACKGROUND: Chevron osteotomy is a widely accepted osteotomy for correction of hallux valgus.(18) Algorithms were developed to overcome the limitations of distal osteotomies. Scarf osteotomy has become popular as a versatile procedure that should be able to correct most cases of acquired hallux valgus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether patients with moderate or severe hallux valgus have better correction with a scarf osteotomy as compared to chevron osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After informed consent, 136 feet in 115 patients were randomized to 66 scarf and 70 chevron osteotomies. Deformities of patients were classified as mild, moderate and severe according to IMA, and both groups were compared with independent t-tests. The results were measured using radiographic HVA, IMA and DMAA measurements. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in HVA, IMA and DMAA between scarf and chevron osteotomy in mild to moderate hallux valgus. In severe hallux valgus, chevron osteotomy corrected HVA better than scarf osteotomy, although this group consisted of twelve patients only. Five patients in the chevron group and seven in the scarf group developed recurrent subluxation of the metatarsophalangeal joint. CONCLUSION: In patients with moderate and severe hallux valgus, the results of chevron osteotomy were at least as effective as a scarf osteotomy. Recurrent subluxation of the first metatatarsophalangeal joint was the main cause for insufficient correction. We favor the chevron osteotomy because it is less invasive, without sacrificing correction of HVA and IMA.

We performed a prospective, randomised trial on 106 patients to compare the effects of local corticosteroid injections with physiotherapy as advocated by Cyriax in the treatment of tennis elbow. The main outcome measures were the severity of pain, pain provoked by resisted dorsiflexion of the wrist, and patient satisfaction. At six weeks 22 of 53 patients in the injection group were free from pain compared with only three in the physiotherapy group. In the corticosteroid-treated group 26 patients had no pain on resisted dorsiflexion of the wrist compared with only three in the physiotherapy group. Thirty-five patients who had injections and 14 who had physiotherapy were satisfied with the outcome of treatment at six weeks. At the final assessment there were 18 excellent and 18 good results in the corticosteroid group and one excellent and 12 good results in the physiotherapy group. There was a significant increase in grip strength in both groups but those with injections had a significantly better result. After one year there were no significant differences between the two groups. Half of the patients, however, had received only the initial treatment, 20% had had combined therapy and 30% had had surgery. We conclude that at six weeks, treatment with corticosteroid injections was more effective than Cyriax physiotherapy and we recommend it because of its rapid action, reduction of pain and absence of side-effects.