The authors compared the long term follow-up (mean duration 19 years) of 96 patients operated on for hallux valgus, 52 by the McBride procedure, 46 by a Hohmann procedure. Clinical results considered 4 criteria: deformity, pain, mobility and satisfaction. Dorsoplantar weight bearing X-ray compared anatomical results. This study showed that patients were subjectively more satisfied after McBride operation (p = 0.0001) even if the deformity was radiologically better reduced by osteotomy (p = 0.006). This discrepancy between subjective and radiologic results was related to the fact that X-rays represent only the static morphologic reflect of a more complex pathologic entity: radiology can only partly explain the functional discomfort of the patients. The modified McBride procedure was better suited to patients presenting a painful HV. Osteotomy was more suited to bunions causing little pain. Indications for each of these procedures should be based more on patient's history and clinical examination than on X-rays.