A Chevron osteotomy is a common procedure for treating hallux valgus (bunions).
With a Chevron osteotomy, the foot and ankle orthopedic or podiatric surgeon will cut a “V” at the end of the long bone leading to the big toe (the metatarsal) and then rotates the end of the bone to straighten the big toe. Some of the enlarged bone of the bunion may also be filed off and some of the soft tissues may be repositioned.
The indications for the Chevron osteotomy for a bunion are generally for younger people who have no osteoarthritis in the joint and the amount of the deformity is considered mild to moderate. The important requirement is that the big toe joint that is congruent and without any osteoarthritis inside the joint. The Chevron osteotomy is contraindicated if there is a significant amount of deformity or if the adductor muscles and ligaments are tight or there is an incongruity with the joint and osteoarthritis present.
