Hallux varus is a deformity that can occur one of two ways. The most common way of developing hallux varus is after having surgery, specifically a bunion surgery in which the deformity was over-corrected. The second way of getting hallux varus is that you were born with it.

Hallux varus occurs when the great toe is deviated medially or opposite direction of the 2nd digit. Hallux varus can be  a problems especially when wearing shoegear, as the great toe tends to rub against the shoe and create pain, blisters, or ulcerations. If the great toe joint is very unstable, the great toe may dislocate and cause severe pain.

Literature provides many options and methods on fixing hallux varus and my intentions are to inform you (in basic terms) how it can be fixed.

Conservative treatment includes using taping or strapping to hold the hallux in a stable position as it heals. Padding can be added to the inside of the shoe to prevent rubbing and discomfort. The patient must realize that the splinting of the toe in a corrected position, must be in place at all times.

If conservative treatment fails to correct the deformity, surgery can be performed. Depending on the severity of the deformity, the surgery is tailored to what is necessary to correct the deformity. If the deformity is mild, the soft tissue structures such as ligaments, tendons and joint capsule can be repaired. If the deformity s quite severe, then bone work must be performed. Bone work can consist of performing a reverse bunion procedure, using joint implants, and even joint fusion.

Please be aware that this deformity can be mild, moderate or severe. The treatment is geared toward doing the least invasive amount as possible to achieve the best results.

If you have hallux varus from an old botched bunion procedure, please come see us. Dr. Kory Williams and Dr. E. Silvers are well-versed in revisional and reconstructive repair of failed surgeries.

Please call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.

The shortening of the bone is caused by the growth plate pre-maturely closing before growing out to full length. The cause why this happens is still mostly unknown.

Brachymetatarsia is related to following disorders and syndromes:

• Down’s Syndrome
• Turner’s syndrome
• Pseudohypoparathyroidism
• Psuedo-pseudohypoparathyroidism
• Albright’s syndrome
• Diastrophic dwarfism

Bracymetatarsia usually occurs in females and usually occurs in both feet. X-rays usually confirm the shortening of the metatarsal.

As a child, the deformity is usually asymptomatic. The primary complaint in the younger patient is often cosmetic, and many times these patients are self-conscious about their appearance. Older patients may experience symptoms of pain due to excessive pressure under adjacent metatarsal heads. Increased callus formation in the ball of the foot may be present. Skin, soft tissue, and tendon contractions lead to additional discomfort with the use of shoes.

Treatment of brachymetatarsia may include conservative care, such as an orthotic device to take pressure off the adjacent metatarsal heads. Shoe gear may be modified a possible hammertoe deformity or contracture of a toe.

Definitive treatment requires surgical correction to address the soft tissue contractions as well as the shortened metatarsal. Numerous surgical procedures exist to correct brachymetatarsia such as the following:

• Bone Grafts
• Metatarsal osteotomies
• Distraction of the metatarsal with an external fixator
• Tendon lengthening
• Skin modifications

At Advanced Foot & Ankle, Dr. Williams prefers the procedure in which lengthening of the metatarsal is performed with an external fixator. Below is a picture showing the external fixator on the 4th metatarsal bone allowing distraction of the bone.

Please come see Dr. Williams or Dr. Silvers if you have brachymetatarsia and we can discuss your treatment options.

The address to our facility is as follows:

McKinney Office Location

4501 Medical Center Drive: Suite 300

McKinney,  TX 75069

To schedule an apppointment, please call : 972-542-2155

Prosper Office Location

140 N. Preston Road: Suite 30

Prosper, TX 75078

To schedule an appointment, please call:  972-542-2155