Complications after surgery of the hallux.

The great toe is affected by many congenital and acquired conditions including arthritis, hallux valgus, and hallux rigidus and disease of the hallucal sesamoids. Many surgical procedures have been described for the treatment of these conditions. With the increased popularity of forefoot surgery comes the potential for complications even when the surgery is done meticulously by an experienced surgeon under well-planned conditions. When a complication occurs, it can present difficult and challenging problems. It is, therefore, important to recognize a complication early so it may be analyzed and treated successfully. When recognized, a plan should be developed to identify, quantify, control, and resolve the problem. The current review defines some common complications and treatment options. Several problems may exist at the same time. A solution addressing all aspects of the problem must be designed so as not to augment the presenting complications. Salvage operations and long-term treatment are included to provide a perspective on treatment of residual deformity. It is important to realize that there often are several solutions to a difficult problem. Many factors influence the surgeon's choice and implementation of a solution, but the ultimate outcome always depends on a well thought out plan.