A conservative method consisting of use of a thermoplastic splint at
night as well as passive and active exercises was used for the treatment of
hallux valgus in fifty-six children and teen-agers who were between one
month and sixteen years old. The splint was remodeled periodically. At the
time of follow-up, which ranged from two to six years, the
metatarsophalangeal joint angle or the intermetatarsal angle, or both, had
improved in approximately half of the feet. No recurrences were detected
among the patients who improved.