Aims: In this study we want to show that the osteotomy according to scarf is a stable and joint maintaining surgical treatment in patients with hallux valgus, lacking strong signs of arthrosis. The scarf osteotomy is a long z-formed osteotomy of the metatarsal bone, þxed with two titanium screws. Methods: In this retrospective study 106 osteotomies according to scarf were examined. The average follow up period was 33.5 months, the operations were carried out over a period between January 1995 and August 1999. Pre- and post operatively the MTP I, and the IM angles were measured and special attention was paid to the development of arthrosis in the MTP I joint. Subjectively, the VAS score was used for evaluation. Results: The hallux valgus angle was reduced from 29 degrees pre operatively to 16.1 degrees post operatively, average pre operative IM angle was reduced from 15 degrees to 9.6 degrees post operatively. All patients had clinical pain in the MTP I joint pre operatively and shoe conßict, after the operation only 7 patients were dissatisþed. Post operatively there was a reduction of the VAS score (pre op 85, post op 18). Only in 9 cases was there a worsening of the arthrosis in the MTP I joint. Conclusions: The scarf osteotomy is a technically challenging but very safe osteotomy with immediate exercising stability. It offers good possibilities of correction of MTP I and IM angle.