Hallux valgus – therapy and prevention

Hallux valgus can be treated in several ways. While surgery is only required in severe cases, mild cases of bunions are usually treated with splint and toe exercises to correct the deformity or prevent progression. What exactly does this therapy look like, and how long does it take to heal? You can find out here.

What can you do about Hallux valgus?

There are conservative or surgical treatment options for Hallux valgus:

• Conservative treatment is indicated for a mild hallux valgus that is only cosmetically disturbing or causes little pain. 
• Surgery is an option in the event of a severe misalignment, recurring bursitis or persistent pain.

 

Toe gymnastics, splint and insoles

Conservative options include:

• avoiding improper footwear and wearing flat shoes with enough room for toes
• Foot and toe gymnastics with abduction exercises
• wearing insoles that support the forefoot and reduce the splayfoot position
• the application of a special splint for the night, which forces the big toe into its anatomically correct position
• taping with kinesiology tapes, which can only have an effect in the early stages

With these measures, the progression of the deformity can be stopped, but healing is not possible.

OP methods in Hallux valgus

Hallux valgus surgery attempts to restore the anatomically correct position of the big toe. There are around 150 surgical methods, many of which have similar success rates. In principle, the misalignment of the big toe is permanently corrected. With many methods, a piece of the metatarsal bone is removed, and the inflamed joint with its bulging joint capsule and bursa is tightened. The shapeless ball of the foot is reduced in size – sometimes, bone material is also removed from the inside of the foot.

If the cartilaginous joint surfaces of the metatarsophalangeal joint have not been affected too much by the incorrect loading, improved, pain-free mobility can be expected after the operation. The muscle tendons are also fixed in their anatomically correct position so that they can perform their actual task again.

In addition, there is the possibility of joint stiffening. This method is more commonly used in older patients. A joint prosthesis can also be used – however, there are still no empirical values ​​for the long-term effect.

 

The healing process takes weeks.

With any surgical method, you must remember that immobilization and the healing process can take several weeks, during which time you may be unable to work. Many patients are permanently pain-free after a Hallux valgus operation – but especially in patients with congenital connective tissue weakness, Hallux valgus can form again in the long term, even if all preventive measures have been taken.

The inflammation of the bursa above the joint can be treated in the short term with anti-inflammatory, painkilling medication or cooling compresses. If the inflammation recurs, you should discuss with your doctor to what extent an operation can provide long-term relief.

How can you prevent Hallux valgus?

When looking critically at the position of the feet and toes, many people in Germany will notice that the big toe is beginning to turn towards the other toes. It would help if you now reacted at the latest:

• Avoid wearing pointed-toe, high-heeled, and tight stockings (even at night).
• When you next buy shoes, place particular value on shoes made of soft upper material that can give way over the ball of your foot – you can thus avoid bursitis.
• Go barefoot as much as possible to encourage natural foot placement.
• Let a physiotherapist or doctor you trust show you simple toe-spreading exercises that you do regularly.
• Please discuss with your doctor whether he can recommend shoe inserts that relieve the load on the forefoot or a Hallux valgus night splint that fixes the big toe in its original position.
• Explain to your children – possibly based on your changed foot position – which fashionable shoes meet the criteria of well-fitting footwear.