Valgus deformity of the first toe most often affects women of mature age, but it also affects men.A deformed base of the thumb does not look aesthetically pleasing.In this case, the person feels physical discomfort, and in the advanced stage – pain.Deviation of the big toe is the result of uneven body load on the foot.Such changes have a detrimental effect on the feet and other fingers.
Causes of curvature
Hallux valgus does not occur for no apparent reason.This pathology appears and develops under the influence of a variety of reasons.Hallux valgus most often affects people who are genetically predisposed to this disease.Doctors note the following causes of deformity of 1 toe:
- Excess body weight.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Osteoporosis.
- Flat feet.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Psoriasis.
- Arthritis.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy and old age.
- Wearing tight shoes.
- The specificity of the profession, forcing a person to endure increased physical activity on his legs every day.
Stages and varieties
Doctors consider 3 stages of disease progression:
- Subtle valgus deviation.Redness of the skin appears, as well as minor abrasions.Discomfort when walking.
- A growth is already clearly visible on the thumb.Swelling and pain are observed.
- This form of the disease is considered advanced.A person is bothered by constant unbearable pain of the big toe and the entire foot, and the appearance of keratinized skin.The pain does not go away even during sleep.
The development of unpleasant hallux valgus is influenced by many factors.Experts have identified the following types of finger deformities as a separate category:
- Crossing deformity.The curvature occurs in different directions.Fingers cross each other.
- Curvature of the joints to such an extent that they are always in a bent position.In the first stage of development of the pathology, the fingers can be forced to straighten with the help of the hands.If treatment is not started at this time, the fingers will become so stiff that you can no longer straighten them with your hands.Now it is impossible to do without surgery.
- Taylor's deformity.Pathology affecting the little fingers.Characterized by the appearance of a growth on the bones.
- Curvature of the phalanges, resembling hooks.
Experts include ballerinas at risk of developing hallux valgus.Dancing on your toes puts increased stress on your toes, which leads to their curvature.Incorrect gait can also cause undesirable results.Provoking factors are aggravated even by age.
Diagnostic methods
If visual examination and x-rays do not give any result, then the patient is referred to plantography to determine possible flat feet.This method involves taking prints of the feet, on the basis of which shoes or insoles with orthopedic properties are made for the patient.The patient is then prescribed podometry.This method uses computer analysis to determine the pressure of a person's weight on the feet.The results of advanced diagnostics are the basis for choosing a treatment method for the curvature of the first and second toe.
The disadvantage of X-ray examination is the need to irradiate the patient's legs, which many patients do not like.They think this is too harmful a method.In this regard, effective treatment of hallux valgus cannot be started without the results of plantography.
This is the best informative diagnostic method.With its help, the doctor determines not only the presence of flat feet, but also the condition of the arches of the feet.Computer examination is the most effective way to detect flat feet.
At the first stage of identifying valgus of the big toe and little toe, the doctor conducts a visual examination.In this way, it determines the stage of development of the pathology.In order to identify detailed changes in the joints, x-rays and plantography are prescribed.
Drug therapy
It is better to begin gentle treatment of the foot, as well as the big toe, before the final stage of development of the pathology occurs.Experts know how to treat this pathology, but they do not know how to cure the advanced form of the disease without surgical intervention.First, doctors determine the cause of the curvature of the fingers, as well as the presence of complicating factors.As is known, the task of drug therapy includes symptomatic therapy.This means that pain, inflammation and swelling are eliminated.
Most often, patients are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.In addition to their main function, they reduce pain and fever.When complications occur, hormonal corticosteroids are often prescribed.If the deformation of the fingers is caused by diseases of the internal organs, then the joints can be corrected after the underlying pathology has been cured.In this case, endocrinologists are involved in the problem together with other highly specialized specialists.Many people try to cure themselves using folk remedies, forgetting that this is only possible at the initial stage of the development of the pathology.
If the pathology is noticed during the initial stage, then the crooked thumb is straightened with the help of devices - plastic or silicone pads with orthopedic properties.During treatment you should wear soft, spacious shoes.To straighten crooked fingers, orthopedic insoles, arch supports and other correctors are used.Deformed fingers are fixed with special splints, rings, caps, and combs.With the help of such devices, the fingers are secured in the correct position.Thanks to orthopedic fixators, the development of further deformation of the fingers stops.
There are two ways to treat hallux valgus.The first is a painless correction of deformity that does not require surgical intervention and rehabilitation, the second is treatment through surgery.
Surgical methods of treatment
Complete cure of hallux valgus is possible only with the help of a surgeon’s scalpel.Sometimes just one operation is enough and the patient forgets about the problem forever.The doctor performs surgical intervention taking into account the type of hallux valgus deformity.The most common types of operations are:
- Exostectomy.Only a certain portion of the metatarsal bone is removed.
- Resection arthroplasty.The end part of the metatarsal bone is removed.
- Osteotomy.It is used to remove the metatarsal bone, as well as a small element of the phalanx.
- Resection.The operation is aimed at removing the affected soft tissues and then transplanting healthy tissues in their place.
- Arthrodesis.Provides forced immobility of joints.
- Distal osteotomy.The operation involves reducing the angle between the joints.
- Removal of the inflamed bursa of the big toe.
- Installation of implants.
The rehabilitation period after surgery can last up to seven weeks.During these few weeks, special preventive measures are usually carried out.First of all, these are therapeutic exercises that promote:
- improving health status;
- reducing pain when walking;
- increasing the tone of the leg muscles;
- installation and fixation of the deformed joint in its natural position.
The duration of the rehabilitation period most often depends on how complex the operation was.To speed up recovery, you should start moving your fingers the next day.After a week, the patient can already get to his feet and, taking precautions, move slowly.The main thing is to avoid prolonged stress.
After the operation, you will need high-quality soft and spacious shoes.It is purchased on the recommendation of a doctor.By the way, if you start doing therapeutic exercises at the very beginning of the development of hallux valgus, you can do not only without surgical intervention, but also without wasting money on various devices, ointments and medications.
Experts say that the surgical treatment option gives virtually one hundred percent positive results.This gentle treatment method does not require anesthesia and does not cause stress or psychological distress.However, painless treatment methods are not able to save a person from the last stage of the disease.
Preventive measures
Preventive measures are quite simple - wearing comfortable shoes with a wide toe, the inside of which does not put pressure on the toes.Joints in particular and feet in general are able to withstand the weight that has accumulated during human growth without causing harm.Therefore, it is very important to monitor your body weight to avoid obesity.
One of the effective preventive exercises is as follows: a person, sitting on a chair with his feet on the floor, moves them using his fingers.
The next exercise involves walking barefoot on the floor, alternately on your toes and heels.
Simple gymnastics are mastered quickly, which gives rise to more complex physical exercises.You can then perform actions such as picking up a pencil or any other object from the floor.
It is better to prevent thumb deformation than to subsequently stand in queues at medical institutions in order to receive doctor’s recommendations on choosing an effective treatment.