Hallux Valgus Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Hallux valgus treatment

Hallux valgus is a particularly serious disorder of the normal position of bones. It is believed that the normal position of each leg corresponds to a certain conditional line, which can be drawn directly through the first space of the toes and the hip joint, affecting the middle of the knee. Any such deviation from such a line shall be considered a serious deformation or curvature.

This pathology is characterized by an X-shaped deformation, when the lower leg is visually displaced inward, and the legs at the same time resemble the letter X. In an O-shaped disorder, the entire middle part of the lower leg is noticeably deflected outward.

Dangerous valgus deformity of the femoral neck is a specific change in an important cervico-shaft angle. It is often expressed as an increase. In many cases, this pathology is combined with planovalgus deformity of the feet or with a deformity of the legs of the same type.

It is believed that such a disease is triggered by a congenital pathology, which is usually caused by dysplasia of the hip joint. In some cases, it can develop when the nervous system is damaged or as a result of a certain trauma. There is always a great risk that hallux valgus can lead to the development of dangerous coxarthrosis.

Hallux valgus is dangerous primarily for its consequences. It should be noted that there is a direct deviation of the axis of the legs, when the visual distance between the ankles seems to be at least 5 cm, and the knees are tightly compressed. This ailment usually manifests itself in childhood if parents allow the baby to stand for a long time without the necessary strength in the muscles.

It is also advisable to pay attention to the existing violations when the child crawls. Insufficient strength of the ligaments and muscles, as well as increased stress on the legs, often lead to developmental disorders. The main causes are knee injuries, rickets and hip dysplasia.

First of all, these changes always affect the knee joints. At the same time, their significant overextension occurs, and then flat-valgus flat feet appear. As a rule, the child begins to complain of severe leg fatigue, often asks for hands, and with prolonged walking, intense pain in the legs is noted. There is a high risk of dangerous development of scoliosis with an asymmetric curvature of any leg.

Ankle hallux valgus is a significant outward displacement of the heel or its collapse inward, which often leads to the development of inevitable flat-valgus flat feet. Such flat-valgus deformity of a particular foot, otherwise called flat feet, is considered the most common type of this pathology. It often manifests itself in childhood.

How to get rid of hallux valgus?

Modern treatment of hallux valgus is a rather laborious and lengthy process. It is characterized by the constant wearing of special orthopedic shoes with a fairly rigid heel counter. It also shows the use of special insoles, the behavior of regular courses of the necessary massage and specific physiotherapy exercises.

Treatment of hallux valgus often involves certain conservative treatment. These non-surgical techniques include the use of orthopedic instep supports, interdigital pads and night splints. If necessary, the specialist will prescribe modern physiotherapy treatment. Intra-articular administration of hydrocortisone and diprospan can significantly reduce inflammation.

The above-described conservative treatment is indicated in the early stages of development of hallux valgus. In the middle and advanced stages of the pathology, it does not lead to a quick complete recovery, but only is a necessary preoperative preparation.

There are more than 100 methods of modern surgical treatment of pathology. The main ones include exostectomy - excision of a small part of the head of an important metatarsal bone, and osteotomy - removal of a specific part of the phalanx of the finger itself.

It should also be mentioned and arthrodesis is a state of complete immobility of the joint of the entire big toe. If necessary, the specialist will recommend the necessary restoration of the ligaments around the metatarsophalangeal joint of the largest toe on the foot, or their comparison. Other surgical methods for treating hallux valgus include resection arthroplasty, as well as replacement of the entire affected joint with a unique modern implant.

It should be noted that all such patients in the postoperative period should significantly limit any physical activity directly on the sore foot. As a rule, it is allowed to move the fingers after the operation on the second day. You will be able to walk in about 10 days without stepping on the operated leg.

It will be possible to fully load the leg only after at least one month, after the surgical treatment, and only six months later it is allowed to wear high-heeled shoes and intensive sports.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".