Association of abnormal foot angles and onychocryptosis.

OBJECTIVES

To find if there is any association between the abnormal interphalangeal (IPA) and/or hallux valgus angles (HVA) and onychocryptosis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Eighty consecutive patients with proven ingrowing toenail of all grades had their interphalangeal and hallux valgus angles of the great toe been measured on a stress view standing radiograph, and compared with a control group of normal people.

RESULTS

The mean age (SD) of our patients was 20 (6.4) years. Males are affected more than females. Lateral edge ingrowing was found in 85% of patients. The percentage of abnormal HVA in the diseased toes (60%), was significantly higher than that in contralateral toes (30%) (p<0.0005) and in normal controls (12%) (p<0.0005). Similarly, the percentage of abnormal IPA in the diseased toes (85%) was significantly higher than that in the contralateral toes (50%) (p<0.0005) and in normal controls (25%) (p<0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal interphalangeal and hallux valgus angles or lateral deviation of the distal phalanx significantly associated with onychcryptosis.