Severe degeneration of the medial collateral ligament in hallux valgus: a histopathologic study in 12 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the degree and location of degenerative changes of the medial collateral ligament of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, using the lateral collateral ligament as a control, in patients undergoing hallux valgus correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS A strip of medial and lateral collateral ligaments were biopsied from 12 consecutive patients (age 45 ± 4.8 years) with symptomatic hallux valgus. A blinded analysis of histopathology was performed by an experienced pathologist. RESULTS The medial collateral ligament was significantly more degenerated compared to the lateral collateral ligament (x(2) = 23.41, DF = 2, p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in degeneration between different parts of each ligament. CONCLUSION Our study found generalized severe degeneration in the medial collateral ligament without proximal-distal predilection. This information may have implications in the management of medial soft tissue repair in hallux valgus correction. The Authors received no financial support for this study.

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