[Surgical treatment of hallux valgus in Poland---analysis based on opinion of Polish Foot and Ankle Society members].

The purpose of this study was to determine the current techniques of hallux valgus surgery by orthopaedic surgeons who have special interest in foot and ankle problems in their daily practice. The questionnaire survey was conducted during I-st Polish Foot and Ankle Society Congress which took place in Jastarnia on 2 to 4 of October 2008. The pictures of two hypothetical patients were created, with moderate and severe hallux valgus deformity. Participants were asked for a brief description of the prefferd surgical technique, performed on the individual forefoot segment in each of the cases. Of the 84 questionnaires distributed among participants authors received 52 (61%) answers about patients with moderate and 54 (64%) with severe hallux valgus. The most frequently proposed technique in patient with moderate hallux valgus was distal chevron osteotomy (50%). In the second patient respondents suggested a wide variety of surgical techniques like metatarsocuneiform joint arthrodesis (Lapidus procedure), scarf osteotomy and double level osteotomy of the Ist metatarsal. All orthopaedic surgeons, taking part in the survey, considered necessary to perform osteotomy of the Ist metetarsal bone, in cases of surgical treatment of moderate and severe form of hallux valgus. A change in stabilization method was noticed -- Kirschner wires are displaced by the screws and the plates.