Abstract:
Hallux valgus deformity of the first toe is a fairly common pathology and is diagnosed in a quarter of the adult population. In moderate and severe deformity, osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone is indicated; the most common types of osteotomy are scarf and chevron. The strength properties of osteotomies are widely studied using full-scale mechanical tests on cadaveric and synthetic bone samples. This review is devoted to biomechanical field studies evaluating the strength properties of scarf and chevron osteotomies. A search was conducted for relevant scientific articles in the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and E-Library, published up to and including May 2025. The search and primary analysis of the literature were carried out in accordance with the PRISMA methodology. Articles were considered in which osteotomies were subjected to static cantilever (fixed at an angle of 15 degrees to the horizon) tests on universal testing machines. The criteria for inclusion in the study were met by 13 papers that were included in the review. Chevron osteotomy was used in 10 studies, and scarf osteotomy was used in 9 studies. Osteotomies modeled on cadaver bones showed, on average, higher strength characteristics compared to synthetic analogues. By and large, the scarf osteotomy demonstrated lower flexural stiffness and maximum load compared to the chevron osteotomy. It was revealed that the use of additional implants in the form of spokes, plates, and spirals does not necessarily lead to an increase in the strength properties of osteotomy. The conducted research shows a significant interest of scientists in the study of the strength properties of osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone. The quantitative parameters of the strength properties of the osteotomies studied are given in this article and can be used by clinicians when choosing the type of osteotomy for a particular patient, as well as when validating biomechanical models.
Key words:hallux valgus, scarf, chevron, biomechanics, cantilever loading, first metatarsal bone, osteotomy, surgical treatment, field studies, type of fracture.
Fulltext:
PDF file (426 kB)