Objective
The objective was to relate the incidence of the partition of the hallucal sesamoid bones to the size of the first metatarsal
and the hallux valgus deformity.
Materials and Methods
In a sample of 474 radiographs, the frequency of appearance of bipartite sesamoids was studied. The length and relative protrusion
of the first metatarsal, and the hallux abductus angle, were measured and compared between the feet with and without sesamoid
partition.
Results
The results showed that 14.6% of the feet studied had at least one partite sesamoid, that the sesamoid most frequently divided
was the medial, and that unilateral partition was the most common. No difference was found in the incidence of partite sesamoids
between men and women, or between left and right feet.
Conclusion
Protrusion and length of the first metatarsal are greater in feet with partite sesamoids than in feet without this condition.
A significantly higher incidence of bipartite medial sesamoid was obtained in feet with hallux valgus compared with normal
feet.
Keywords Bipartite hallucal sesamoid bones - First metatarsal length - Hallux valgus