A modified suture technique for fixation of the Akin osteotomy.

Abstract

The Akin osteotomy is a frequently performed medial closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx of the hallux. It is usually used as a complimentary procedure in the correction of hallux valgus. Various implants and techniques have been described for fixation. Suture fixation has the advantage of a lower implant signature and a reduction in cost. However, the thin cortex of the phalanx can be prone to failure during suture application. We describe a new technique for suture fixation, which we have found to be reliable and to reduce the risk of phalangeal cortical failure.