Hallux valgus is one of the most common fore-foot problem in civilized populations. 49 feet of 33 cases, 8 males and 25 females with an average age of 50 years old, were treated surgically from 1987 to 1992 for hallux valgus and followed up for an average of 47.8 months, comprising 20 feet with McBride's soft tissue procedure and 29 feet of Mitchell metatarsal osteotomy. The clinical criteria for follow up included pain relief, cosmetic out look, shoe wearing comfort, metatarsophalangeal motion etc. 87.5% of the cases in the McBride's group and 95% of the cases in the Mitchell group were satisfied with the clinical results. The immediate post-operative metatarsophalangeal (MP) angle and intermetatarsal (IM) angle were both well corrected, but there was a significantly higher recurrence rate of hallux valgus in the group with the McBride's procedure (P < 0.05). One case in the McBride's group had the complication of hallux varus and one case from the Mitchell group had delayed union. The Mitchell bony procedure has a more stable result compared to the McBride's soft tissue procedure for the correction of moderate hallux valgus, and the modified Mitchell osteotomy is less invasive, easier to perform, easier to care for, and has more satisfactory long-term results.