Halluxvalgus, what are the complications

Hallux valgus refers to outward displacement of the base of the big toe and deviation of the tip of the big toe toward the other toes.

It is a condition suffered by many people, especially women, which can lead to discomfort (cosmetically) and pain, even in walking, in severe cases.

Halluxvalgus depends on:

• congenital causes, such as those who have other alterations from birth (such as flat feet) or by heredity
• acquired or secondary causes: so for example, wearing shoes inappropriate to the physiognomy of the foot (shoes with narrow toes, too small or high heels)
• suffer from other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout

The patient may initially experience some milder symptoms such as:

• The “onion,” or a protuberance that indicates very painful inflammation (which tends to worsen with shoe rubbing)
• notice redness around the big toe and thickening of the skin
• Experience changes in the physiognomy of the foot
• Having difficulty walking

In these cases, one will undergo conservative treatment to relieve the symptoms, regress the deformity and improve the cosmetic appearance of the foot, thus using ice packs, choosing better footwear, resorting to custom-made orthotics or orthotics, bandages and wraps or toe separator pads, doing physiotherapy and exercises.

The doctor may also recommend the use of painkillers.

Unfortunately, there can be more serious symptoms, i.e., complications that occur over time, especially if hallux valgus is not properly treated.

Complications involve chronicity of the‘inflammation and pain and postural changes that affect at the ambulation level.

Simply put, there will be joint degeneration and toe deformities ‘ which could change the knees (tendency to develop valgus knee), hips and lumbar curve leading to major limitations in movement.

In this case, it will be necessary to resort to surgery, which is becoming less and less invasive and allows the patient immediately to recover.