The Learning Curve in Hallux Valgus Surgery.

Abstract

For any surgical technique, the learning curve is the number of times a particular procedure must be undertaken in order to complete it repeatedly with high accuracy and proficiency. Scientifically, a difficult task to master is represented by a flat learning curve, as the steep portion of the learning curve would correlate with rapid learning. Today, there's more literature on the learning curve of percutaneous HV surgery than on any other procedure in foot and ankle surgery. Due to the lack of conclusive research on traditional HV techniques, no comparison to modern percutaneous techniques is possible. The current literature suggests that it takes between 30-40 cases to gain sufficient proficiency in 3rd generation percutaneous hallux valgus correction.