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Haluks (hallux, hallux valgus) is a degenerative disease whose symptom is deformation of the foot. Bunions occur mainly in women (hallux valgus has almost half of them), and contributes to it, among others. being overweight, wearing high-heeled shoes, standing upright and having flat feet. If you have hallux, you need to know that conservative treatment is not always enough, often surgery is necessary.

Haluks( Hallux valgus, hallux, hallux ) is a condition where the largest toe becomes lopsided and leans back towards the outer edge of the foot, and the metatarsal bone tilts towards the inner edge of the foot.

It is estimated thatbunionsoccur in approximately 100,000 people in our society. They make it very difficult to function and cause great pain and difficulty in walking. This problem mainly affects women (it is related to the weaker ligament apparatus of a woman's foot), but is also sometimes found in children.

How are bunions formed?

High heel causes overload of the forefoot (forefoot, and shoes with a sharp tip increase the pressure on the toe and the transverse arch of the foot, which leads to:

  • finger deformation,
  • of transverse flatfoot development,
  • pain.

The deformation causes the foot to work differently: the body weight is unevenly distributed, the toe ceases to be a strong support point while walking, the strength of the structures that stabilize the foot deteriorates, the muscles become weaker, and the inner edge of the foot is overloaded .

Haluks, or hallux valgus [GALLERY]

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Bunions - symptoms

Improper finger positioning is accompanied by pathological changes in the joint in the form of a painful, often inflamed swelling at the base of the toe, on the inside of the foot. If patients delay the visit to the doctor, the deformity and pain may be already advanced, patients have problems with buying shoes (pressure on the deformed toe intensifies the symptoms and causes inflammation around the protrusion of the head and metatarsal bones, as well as redness and pain).

Accompanying symptomsbunionscan also be:

  • exudative bursitis at the height of the metatarsophalangeal jointfinger,
  • bursa (a bag filled with mucus at the site of rubbing against the protruding bone at the big toe),
  • painful thickenings of the epidermis in response to pressure,
  • gradually increasing metatarsophalangeal subluxation.

Haluksy - reasons

Degeneration of the finger and joint are favored by:

  • wearing uncomfortable, wrong footwear (especially high heels and narrow toes),
  • overweight,
  • traffic avoidance,
  • standing lifestyle,
  • Egyptian shape of the foot (big toe longer than the other toe),
  • injuries,
  • genetic predisposition.
  • longitudinal flat feet.

Haluksy - genetic tendency to hallux valgus

The genetic predisposition to have the greatest importance in the formation of hallux valgus is evidenced by the fact that approximately 70% of cases, it occurs in the family in the female line (it is owned by a grandmother, daughter, granddaughter). We inherit, for example, the abnormal shape of the surface of the metatarsophalangeal joint, connective tissue laxity greater than in the statistical population, specific position of the metatarsal bones or the so-called Egyptian foot shape.

Bunions - how to prevent distortion of fingers

The most important thing in preventing the formation ofbunionsis wearing comfortable footwear: not too tight and not too narrow (pointed toes and narrow tips are unacceptable), exercising the toes, giving up high high heels, avoiding excess weight (he althy diet) and regular exercise.

How are halluxes treated?

After the first symptoms of valgus big toe appear, you should start working quickly - first of all, go to an orthopedic consultation. The doctor will examine the foot and select the best method for the patient to preventbunions : orthopedic insoles, corrective gymnastics or physical therapy.

The simplest treatment methodshalluxthat patients have access to are:

  • slices for bunions or gel covers for bunions - often enriched with oils with a healing effect, protecting the sore spot;
  • interdigital wedges, separators - restore the correct position to the toes, reduce pain and friction, especially recommended in the case of bunions and overlapping fingers or corns between the toes at the initial stage of deformation;
  • pads (pad - droplet, pillow, drop-shaped pad), gel pads, T-shaped pads, pads and half pads - have a good effect on pressure distribution in the foot, prevent transverse flatfoot and slow down the development of hallux valgus, you canalso use them when wearing high heels;
  • forefoot cushions - specially designed for ladies who wear high heels,
  • silicone metatarsal insoles - designed especially for women with transverse flat feet and bunions; thanks to the current pelot, the transverse arch of the foot is raised, thanks to which the position of the valgus toe is corrected;
  • band for bunions - the gel insert protects against abrasions and keeps the toe in the right position, has a positive effect on the pressure distribution on the foot and prevents muscle weakness and bone deformation;
  • day or night correction appliances - effective both in the prevention and treatment of bunions and in rehabilitation after surgery. These devices effectively withstand pain and inhibit the progression of deformation;
  • Hallufix - a splint recommended for prophylaxis and treatment of bunions in the initial stage, with slight deformation, and also in the case of bursitis and in the period of postoperative rehabilitation. This dynamic rail can be used without any problems during the day and is an alternative to the rigid rail limiting the movement, it corrects transverse flat feet.

If the changes that deform the fingers become painful, your doctor may recommend the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain and deformity are significant, and the non-surgical (conservative) methods are not very effective, surgical treatment is necessary.

Haluksy - when an operation is necessary

The type of surgical technique used depends on the degree of deformation of the big toe and other elements of the foot. The multitude of existing operational methods proves that there is no one good and universal method. Therefore, the condition for a good postoperative result is a careful selection of the type of surgery depending on the severity of the foot deformity.

Forbunionsthe following operational methods are used:

  • correction performed only on soft tissues, i.e. the articular capsule and tendons with partial resection of the metatarsal head in cases of less advanced defect;
  • Chevron osteotomy - a type of osteotomy performed in some cases of hallux valgus. Osteotomy is performed on the head and metatarsal bones;
  • wedge and hemispherical osteotomies - performed in the case of hallux valgus, involving the excision of a bone wedge within the bone and its possible removal or displacement to another place to correct the deformation.
  • Scarf method - gives the possibility of an early operational load on the limb and a stable fixation of the fragments allowing for treatmentplaster-free. Patients in a very short time after the operation (2-3 days) may put stress on the foot using postoperative (walking) shoes. After not less than 6 weeks, patients return to walking in everyday shoes.

Non-plaster treatment is also possible in the case of good and stable fixation of bone fragments with Kirschner wires after wedge or semicircular osteotomy. This fixation is as valuable as the bolts in the Scarf method, and the fixation material can be easily removed without the need for another operation. Full loading of the foot before bone union is achieved, i.e. within 6 weeks, even with bolts (Scarf or Chevron method) is risky due to the possibility of tearing the bolts out of the bone.

It is worth knowing

Bunions - what are they, what causes them?

Haluksis the Latin name for the big toe. It is colloquially known as hallux valgus, i.e. deformation of the big toe. This disease causes not only aesthetic discomfort, but also pain and definitely interferes with walking. What causes bunions? What are the first symptoms of bunions? And is it possible to prevent the formation of bunions? These and many other questions are answered by our expert Joanna Stodolna-Tukendorf, a physiotherapist and podologist from the Footmedica clinic.

Haluksy - treatment methods

Feet can tell a lot about a person, his he alth, ailments and lifestyle. If they are neglected and distorted, they not only look unsightly, but also hurt. How to avoid the problem of bunions and how to deal with them when they appear? Listen to our expert Joanna Stodolna-Tukendorf, physiotherapist, podiatrist at the FootMedica Clinic.

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Spine, bones, joints