Valgus deformity of the first toe most often affects women in adulthood, but it also affects men.The deformed base of the thumb does not look aesthetic.In this case, a person experiences physical discomfort, and in an advanced stage – pain.Big toe deviation is the result of an uneven load of the body on the foot.Such changes have a detrimental effect on the feet and other toes.
Causes of curvature
Hallux valgus does not occur for no apparent reason.This pathology arises and develops under the influence of various 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 specifics of the profession, forcing a person to withstand increased physical activity on his feet every day.
Stages and varieties
Doctors consider 3 stages of disease progression:
- Slight valgus deviation.Redness of the skin appears, as well as slight abrasions.Discomfort when walking.
- A growth is now clearly visible on the thumb.There is swelling and pain.
- This form of the disease is considered advanced.A person is worried about constant unbearable pain of the big toe and the whole 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:
- Cross deformation.The curvature occurs in different directions.Fingers crossed.
- Distortion 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 point, 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 deformation.Pathology affecting the little fingers.It is characterized by the appearance of a growth on the bones.
- Hook-like distortion of the phalanges.
Experts include ballerinas at risk of developing hallux valgus.Dancing on the toes leads to an increased load on the toes, which leads to their distortion.Improper gait can also lead to undesirable results.The provoking factors are enhanced even by age.
Diagnostic methods
If the visual examination and X-rays are inconclusive, then the patient is referred to plantography to determine possible flat feet.This method involves taking impressions of the feet, based on which shoes or insoles with orthopedic properties are made for the patient.After that, the patient is prescribed podometry.This method uses computer analysis to determine the pressure of a person's weight on the feet.The results of the advanced diagnostics are the basis for the choice of treatment method for the curvature of the first and second toes.
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 begin without the results of plantography.
This is the best informative diagnostic method.С негова помощ лекарят определя не само наличието на плоски стъпала, но и състоянието на сводовете на краката.Computerized testing is the most effective way to detect flat feet.
At the first stage of identifying valgus of the big and little toes, the doctor conducts a visual examination.In this way, it determines the stage of development of the pathology.To identify detailed changes in the joints, X-rays and plantography are prescribed.
Drug therapy
It is better to start a gentle treatment of the foot, as well as the big toe, before the last 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 temperature.When complications occur, hormonal corticosteroids are often prescribed.If the deformity 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 treat themselves with folk remedies, forgetting that this is possible only at the initial stage of the development of the pathology.
If the pathology is noticed in 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, roomy shoes.Orthopedic insoles, arch supports and other correctors are used to straighten crooked toes.Deformed fingers are fixed with special splints, rings, caps and combs.With the help of such devices, the fingers are fixed in the correct position.Thanks to the orthopedic fixators, it stops the development of further deformation of the fingers.
There are two ways to treat hallux valgus.The first is a painless correction of a deformity that does not require surgical intervention and rehabilitation, the second is treatment by surgery.
Surgical methods of treatment
A complete cure of hallux valgus is possible only with the help of a surgeon's scalpel.Sometimes only one operation is enough and the patient forgets about the problem forever.The doctor performs a surgical intervention, taking into account the type of hallux valgus deformity.The most common types of surgery are:
- Exostectomy.Only a certain part of the metatarsal bone is removed.
- Resection arthroplasty.The end 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 the joints.
- Distal osteotomy.The operation involves reducing the angle between the joints.
- Removal of the inflamed bursa of the big toe.
- Placement 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 encourage:
- improving health;
- reduction of pain when walking;
- increasing leg muscle tone;
- installation and fixation of the deformed joint in its natural position.
The duration of the rehabilitation period mostly depends on how complicated the operation was.To speed up recovery, you should start moving your fingers the next day.After a week, the patient can now stand on his feet and, taking precautions, move slowly.The main thing is to avoid prolonged stress.
After surgery, you will need high-quality, soft and roomy 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 get by not only without surgical intervention, but also without wasting money on various devices, ointments and medicines.
Experts say that surgical treatment gives almost one hundred percent positive results.This gentle method of treatment does not require anesthesia and does not cause stress or psychological distress.However, painless methods of treatment 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 inner part of which does not put pressure on the toes.Joints in particular and feet in general are able to withstand the weight accumulated during human growth without causing harm.That is why it is very important to monitor your body weight to avoid obesity.
One of the effective preventive exercises is the following: a person sitting in a chair with his feet on the floor moves them with his toes.
The next exercise involves walking barefoot on the floor, alternately on toes and heels.
Simple gymnastics is quickly mastered, which leads to more complex physical exercises.You can then perform actions such as picking up a pencil or other object from the floor.
It is better to prevent a thumb deformity than to subsequently stand in queues at medical institutions to get recommendations from a doctor to choose an effective treatment.