The incidence and natural history of forefoot scar pain following open hallux valgus surgery.

BACKGROUND

Scar symptoms are a recognized complication of forefoot surgery. The aim of our study was to quantify and qualify these symptoms following open Scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus.

METHODS

A total of 125 consecutive patients with a minimum of 1 year's follow-up were questioned, with a response rate of 82%. Four patients were excluded because of superficial wound infections, leaving 98 patients in the study.

RESULTS

In all, 30 patients (31%) reported scar symptoms. In this symptomatic group, 8 patients (21%) undertook noninvasive intervention for their symptoms, and the remaining 22 symptomatic patients (79%) did not use any form of intervention for their symptoms. Patients who undertook some sort of intervention had a significantly shorter duration of symptoms (mean = 19 vs 44 weeks; P = .01). The mean duration of symptoms was 27.9 weeks, and mean symptom score was 3 out of 10. At the 1-year follow-up, 95% of patients had no scar symptoms. There was no significant difference in either the preoperative severity of the deformity or the degree of correction achieved between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

CONCLUSION

These results can be used to obtain consent, educate, and reassure patients. We recommend simple noninvasive interventions should patients experience postoperative scar symptoms.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV.