Functional and neurologic results were similar whether the patients did or did not undergo vertebral block excision, suggesting that stabilizing the unstable level may be sufficient in patients with neurologic impairment. Excision of spontaneous vertebral blocks should be avoided to minimize the morbidity of surgery in these debilitated patients with a limited life expectancy.

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Background: Postoperative hallux varus is often accompanied by an abnormal decrease in the first-second (M1M2) intermetatarsal angle, which we have sought to correct by a reverse scarf-type osteotomy. Methods: A series of 36 hallux varus operated on by reverse scarf osteotomy, including 14 with prior osteotomies, was reviewed with an average follow-up of 56 months. The measurements were clinical: American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, subjective satisfaction index, joint mobility, and radiologic angles: M1M2 and first metatarsophalangeal angle. Results: The M1M2 angle increased on average from 3 to 8 degrees whereas the average M1P1 angle of varus went from −21 to +9 degrees, including 2 patients who had a reoccurring valgus of 20 degrees. The median AOFAS score increased from 47 to 79, the VAS from 6.7 to 2.3, joint mobility lost an average of 9 degrees, and all those operated on were satisfied with the result. All operated bones healed without secondary displacement. Discussion: The reverse scarf osteotomy is capable of correcting the intermetatarsal angle and at the same time correcting the postoperative hallux varus. Functional scores generally improved, including in patients with a reoccurring valgus and those with reduced mobility. Conclusion: The reverse scarf osteotomy can be performed to treat postoperative hallux varus with a mild intermetatarsal angle with reasonable clinical and radiologic results. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

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