In this retrospective analysis of 772 patients with symptomatic hallux limitus, 428 patients (55%) were successfully treated with conservative care alone; of these 428 patients, 362 (84%) were treated with orthoses. Corticosteroid injections and a change in shoes allowed 24 patients (6% of conservatively treated patients) and 42 patients (10%), respectively, to have less discomfort and return to previous activity levels. Overall, 47% of the patients in this analysis were successfully treated with orthoses. Surgical procedures were performed on 296 patients (38% of all patients) who did not respond to conservative care. In this analysis, 48 of the patients (6% of all patients) who did not respond to conservative care either refused surgery or were not surgical candidates. These data are intended to provide podiatric physicians with expected outcomes for conservative care of hallux limitus. The etiology, symptoms, conservative management, and surgical treatments of hallux limitus and hallux rigidus are also reviewed.

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Ingrown toenails are one of the most common pathologic conditions encountered in podiatric medical practice. Many methods of treatment for ingrown toenails have been used and studied, including chemical matrixectomies, surgical approaches, and CO(2) laser ablation. This study is a retrospective review of a new technique that consists of resection of the involved nail matrix using a No. 15 blade and controlled cauterization using a CO(2) laser. The technique was performed on 381 painful ingrown toenails, and all of the patients were followed up postoperatively for an average of 34 months. The results showed minimal pain, a low recurrence rate, rapid return to activity, and good cosmesis.