Replacement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with a silicone elastomer ball-shaped spacer.

We report the use of a silicone elastomer ball-shaped spacer for the treatment of hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. One hundred and eleven operations were performed in 77 patients over a 5-year period. The best results were obtained in patients with hallux rigidus. Good results were obtained in hallux valgus, but it was found that in patients with severe preoperative deformity the correction obtained was inadequate, and an additional procedure would be required for full correction. There were no cases of silicone synovitis.