What is it?
Hallux valgus, or a bunion, is a commonly deformity of the big toe. This deformity causes the first metatarsophalangeal joint to be more pronounced on the inside portion of your foot, and can be painful while wearing shoes or walking. It is often seen as a bony prominence at the base of your big toe. There are lots of considerations to managing or even preventing this potentially debilitating pathology.
Who could be affected?
- People wearing narrow-toed shoes. This type of shoe can create pressure on your toes, usually pushing the big toe towards the other toes. This can be particularly problematic when children are growing up as their bodies change rapidly.
- People having incorrect biomechanics while walking or running. Incorrect biomechanics can promote misalignment of the first toe when the foot takes off from the ground which would increase the pressure on the toe; thus creating or worsening the bunion.
What does it look like?
As the human skeleton develops, the body adapts to the environment and stress to which it is exposed. Over time, the big toe will gradually drift from its optimal position and your foot will begin to compensate. This is when a bony prominence begins to form. The bones of your feet will adapt to this forced position or to the wrong biomechanics, as well as your muscles, tendons and ligaments will also change to adapt to this position.
How can physiotherapy help?
Your therapist can advise you on the proper wearing of shoes and analyze your biomechanics of walking and/ or running. Here are some topics to discuss with your physiotherapist;
- What kind of shoes are optimal for a hallux valgus?
- Should we walk barefoot or not?
- Which muscles have to be strengthened to help align the big toe?
- Can orthotics and/ or taping help?
- Is surgery necessary and what to expect?
Looking forward to answering all your questions and doubts in clinic!
