Hallux valgus deformity of the big toe

Common disease hallux valgus: pain due to malposition of the big toe

07/12/2012

The so-called hallux valgus is a relatively widespread malposition of the big toe. The foot seems to be considerably widened at the level of the first metatarsal and the big toe is tilted in the direction of the other toes. While the malposition is initially only a cosmetic impairment, threatening over the years, significant complaints. The sufferers suffer massive pain and may require surgery.

Women in particular are more frequently affected by hallux valgus. Possible causes of toe misalignment are - in addition to a genetic disposition - wearing false footwear and the so-called splayfoot. Every eighth German suffers from a corresponding misalignment of the big toe, reports the German Red Cross Karlsruhe, citing a message from Asklepios clinics. This is the hallux valgus „today a real common disease.“

Hallux valgus makes every step to agony
As one of the most common deformities of the lower extremities, hallux valgus is widespread, but is known to very few Germans. Since the toe deformity usually initially occurs without pain, this is often misinterpreted as a harmless anatomical feature. The hallux valgus is therefore initially only perceived as cosmetically disturbing. The initially moderate misalignment of the big toe increases over time, however, often significantly. Those affected increasingly suffer from pain when walking. „If one stands or both big toes go wrong, life can become agony“, stressed Jürgen Götz, Foot Specialist at the Orthopedic Clinic for the University of Regensburg at the Asklepios Klinikum Bad Abbach.

Osteoarthritis due to toe deformity
Increases the misalignment of the big toe, more inflammation occur in the metatarsophalangeal joint and those affected are in considerable pain. Also, the second toe is affected, the big toe ball is becoming increasingly dominant and causes increasing discomfort in the shoe, so the announcement of Asklepios Hospital. In addition, the rolling behavior of the foot changes, which causes additional pain in the midfoot area. In the worst case, the hallux valgus lead to osteoarthritis or irreparable wear of the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Hallux valgus may require surgery
Consists „no other options to improve the position of the big toe and relieve the pain“, if surgery is required, explained Professor Joachim Grifka, Director of the Orthopedic University Clinic in Bad Abbach. Depending on the cause and severity of the misalignment as well as possibly existing concomitant disease from over 100 variants, the appropriate surgical procedure is selected to bring the big toe back into the correct position. According to the biomechanical change that has led to the misalignment of the big toe, a gentle surgical technique must be selected, which „Corrected the misalignment, narrowed the foot again and allowed a pain-free load, "said Prof. Grifka, the goal of any surgery is to be able to move and claim the foot again. „We refuse surgeries from purely cosmetic surgery aspects“, the doctor continues.

False footwear as a cause of hallux valgus
The growing prevalence of hallux valgus due to the wearing of unsuitable shoes is alarming, especially as it would be quite avoidable. The footwear in the modern industrial nations promotes the malposition of the big toe, as usually not the anatomical features of the foot or the sole of the foot are taken up in the shoe shape. Too narrow, high-heeled, pointed to the front shoes are for the foot in the long term a significant burden, the corresponding misalignments conditional. Since modern women's shoe forms often have these unfavorable forms, women often suffer from hallux valgus. (Fp)