A Study to Compare Early and Partial Weight-bearing After Hallux Valgus Surgery

Is Full Weight Bearing After the Modified Lapidus Operation Possible? A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Early and Partial Weight-bearing

This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial with the aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of post-operative management after a modified Lapidus arthrodesis with/without an Akin or a Weil/Hohmann surgery fusion with immediate complete weight-bearing compared with partial weight-bearing (10 - 15kg) for 6 weeks as a novel approach for rehabilitation after a foot surgery.

The surgical operation will be carried out according to the standard clinical practice, namely following the modified Lapidus general and specific rules concerning the surgical treatment of hallux valgus with/without an Akin or a Weil/Hohmann surgery fusion. Post-operatively, patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be randomized into one of the two groups (partial weight-bearing limited at 15kg vs full weight-bearing) Patient in both groups will be wearing a VACOPASO shoe for 6 weeks.

Standard X-ray assessment to determine healing, hardware fixation, fracture alignment, fracture reduction, implants mobilization will be performed at weeks 6, 12, 24.

Change in pain severity from the day of surgery to 6, 12 and 24 weeks postoperatively will be measured using the pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Quality of life will be assessed through the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS). Subjective functional recovery through the Olerud and Molander Ankle Score (OMAS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient who undergo modified Lapidus arthrodesis operation and associated with:
• Additional surgical gestures such as e.g. interventions on the proximal phalanx of the first finger (Akin) or interventions on the 2nd and / or 3rd ray (Weil / Hohmann) [23,24].
• Willingness and ability to participate in the trial
• Signed Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Previous foot surgery
• Classic Lapidus surgery
• Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, general physical problem of the participant, etc.
• Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention
• Pregnant women