High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to fight the disease.
Almost every person is faced with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diseases can be congenital or acquired.One possible problem in this area is hallux valgus.
This diagnosis is given both to children who have just stepped on their feet, and to adults.More often in women, less often in men.
High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to fight the disease.
What is hallux valgus?
Valgus deformity is an orthopedic disease of people of different ages and sexes.In adults, the disease most often appears after the age of 30.According to orthopedic doctors, the diagnosis is made in 20-65% of cases when women complain of leg pain.For men, the percentage is lower – 5-15%.The disease is progressive.
When the disease occurs, the anatomy of the foot changes - a lump appears on the first toe, the toe deviates from its normal position.There is pressure on the adjacent fingers, as a result of which they change their shape, acquiring the appearance of a "hammer".There is a general imbalance in the functions of the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foot.Its front part widens and flat feet appear.In normal walking, support occurs on the first and last toes.The second, third, fourth form an arc with their tip on the bone of the third finger.With flat feet, all the toes fall like a fan, distributing the pressure among themselves.Changes in anatomy often lead to impaired circulation in the forefoot, which causes arthritis and arthrosis.
The curvature manifests itself in stages:
- Initially, there is a feeling of discomfort when wearing familiar shoes.She seems to have gotten smaller and started to squeeze her fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in a store is becoming more and more difficult - you need to buy a larger pair to avoid the feeling of pressure.This is due to the fact that the angle of deviation of the finger increases;
- By the evening there is pain in the whole leg.Gradually, the pain "shifts" in time, appearing at any time of the day and place, "rising" to the ankle and calf muscles;
- the first finger deviates more and more noticeably to the side, is deformed - a growth appears on the joint;
- other fingers are subjected to deformation, transverse flat feet develops;
- the curvature is noticeable with the naked eye, there is constant pain when walking.
The disease can be congenital or acquired.Congenital pathology occurs due to disorders in the formation of the bones of the foot and their position during intrauterine development.Congenital disease manifests itself in the first few months after birth.
There are several reasons for the development of an acquired "valgus foot":
- muscle hypotension.It is diagnosed in premature babies, newborns with poor health and delayed physical development.Hypotonia is one of the signs of rickets.Long-term wearing of a cast can lead to hypotension;
- improper development of ligaments, muscles, tendons, other diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoporosis);
- some diseases - cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, dysplasia;
- injuries - fractures, sprains, sprains of the legs;
- obesity.Too much weight increases the pressure on the foot, especially on the first toe, which leads to flat feet;
- wrong shoes.The reason for the more frequent manifestation of the disease in women is shoes with a narrow toe and a high heel.With these "pumps" the body weight rests on the front of the foot.The foot is deformed and outgrowths of the bone of the first toe appear.Therefore, it is not recommended to wear hairpins for a long time;should only be worn on special occasions for a maximum of 2 hours.For everyday wear, it is better to choose comfortable shoes with low, stable heels.
One of the frequent causes of deformity in children is straightening the leg too early, when the muscles and ligaments are not yet ready for such high loads.You can determine the curvature by watching how the child walks.With normal development, the leg is placed on the entire leg, with pathology - only on its inner part.Improper development can be detected by the way the shoes are worn - they are worn from the inside.
The development of the disease is characterized by a violation of the shape of the lower part of the leg - in the shape of the letter X. The gait becomes uncertain and uncomfortable.Pathology manifests itself not only externally.The child talks about ankle and back pain when walking and avoids active games.By evening, your feet may swell and start cramping in your calves.If the symptoms are neglected, the disease progresses and accompanying diagnoses appear - arthrosis, scoliosis, deformation of the knee and ankle joints.
Orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus: advantages, types
The treatment of the disease depends on the degree of its manifestation and the severity of the pain.In an advanced stage, the pathology can often be corrected only by surgery - removal of the growth of the finger.In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with exercise, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.Painkillers are prescribed to reduce pain.
An important part of the treatment of hallux valgus is wearing orthopedic shoes.
- It helps in the correct distribution of the load on the foot, which improves the development of muscles and ligaments.The load on joints subjected to excessive stress is reduced.
- Stops joint deformation.
- It evenly distributes the load on the entire musculoskeletal system.
- Correct, beautiful gait and posture are formed.
If hallux valgus is diagnosed, orthopedic shoes are not a panacea that solves all problems.But it is an important part of an integrated approach to treatment, relieving symptoms and preventing the progression of the disease.Wearing special therapeutic boots is prescribed for preventive purposes, to prevent recurrence of the disease after a successful operation.
Orthopedic shoes are selected depending on the type and degree of development of the deformity.Its main purpose is to maintain the correct position of the foot, preventing the foot from twisting.
The times when orthopedic shoes attracted attention with their ugly appearance remained in the past.Today, they are not only comfortable, but also attractive in appearance.In stores there are options for different seasons - summer, winter, demi-season.Manufacturers produce all styles of orthopedic shoes: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.Medical versions look very beautiful, outwardly they do not differ from ordinary pairs.
When developing orthopedic pads, not only the degree and form of the disease, but also the gender and age of the patient are taken into account.In men, women and children, the disease proceeds differently;to correct the deformation, you need to pay attention to various points.
Orthopedic shoes for men
In men, hallux valgus is rare.But the disease still appears in them and becomes a consequence of various concomitant diseases.The doctor may recommend wearing therapeutic shoes if there is a risk of developing such a deformity to prevent distortion.Especially if there are diagnoses such as obesity, flat feet, inflammatory processes often occur in the ligaments.
Finding the right pair of boots is no easy task.They should fit well on the foot, not cause discomfort and provide good support for the arch of the foot and ankle.Sometimes you can't find the right pair in the store.Then it is made to order.To do this, they take a cast of the leg, first make a three-dimensional plaster model for the latter, then the latter itself, from which the parts for the future pair are cut.The process is complicated and expensive, so the price of such a sample is quite high.
Orthopedic shoes for women
In women, such a distortion occurs several times more often.One of the reasons is the habit of constantly wearing high-heeled shoes.Some women wear their favorite high heels all day, only taking them off at night.The forefoot and first toe are constantly under tension, bearing the entire body weight.Narrow shoe toes do not improve the situation either.The finger is constantly pressed, its blood circulation is disturbed, which also leads to illness.Over the years, the foot deforms, pains appear in the fingers and ankle.You have to give up your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But the regular last is not able to cope with the situation - the feeling of discomfort when walking does not disappear.Therapeutic shoes help to evenly distribute the load and stop the progressive nature of the disease.
The range of medical samples for women is wide.In stores and online catalogs there are orthopedic boots, shoes, boots, summer open sandals of various colors, styles, made of natural, artificial leather, suede, nubuck.The sole is a wedge or a small heel (maximum 5 centimeters).The different fullness of the leg is taken into account - many samples can be adjusted in width with straps or multi-level fasteners.
Orthopedic shoes for children
The pediatrician prescribes the wearing of therapeutic boots for children both when curvature has already been identified and for preventive purposes.There are two types of children's models:
- low complexity.They have inserts (insoles, boots) whose task is to correct the violation.For convenience, these elements can be sewn into the model;
- complex.The boots are made to order, according to the cast of the foot after measurements.
To prevent distortion, pediatricians advise wearing therapeutic shoes from early childhood.Parents should exclude slippers, sandals and flat-soled sneakers without arch support.
What to look for when choosing shoes
The orthopedic pair is chosen personally, since each leg has its own characteristics.When worn, the shoes "adjust" to the shape of the foot.Parents should remember: the child should not wear shoes after older children, otherwise his foot will develop the same pathologies as theirs.
When choosing a version for the treatment of children, it is important to consider:
- quality of materials.The pairs are made for the child from natural materials.They allow air to pass through well, allowing the foot to "breathe";
- sewing quality.Carefully check the boot, the quality of the seam, the inner surface - there can be no protruding seams, all elements are sewn neatly.This will prevent chafing during wear;
- compliance with the anatomy of the foot.A recommendation from a doctor will help you, who will indicate what details you should pay attention to;
- true to size.You don't have to buy sneakers for your baby to grow into, which many parents do, considering how fast children's feet grow.In shoes that are too big, it will be uncomfortable for him to walk, his gait will become unstable and wobbly.The habit of sliding your feet will remain even after the foot "grows" into the shoe.A shoe that is too small will put pressure on the foot, causing even more bowing.Shoes for your baby should be chosen exactly in size.
Pay attention to each element of the pair.Inside the shoe is a solid, crease-resistant insole.The sole has a small heel, which gives the correct position of the foot and prevents the appearance of flat feet.The sole itself is also important.It is better to have movable elements.Special attention should be paid to winter shoes.Make sure the sole is made of frost-resistant materials and will not slip.
The boots are specially designed for children with deformed feet.The latter is comfortable and keeps the foot well in the correct position.To do this, a comfortable pad, side boots and a high hard heel are sewn into the children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, Velcro and multi-level fasteners.
When buying shoes for an adult, also make sure they fit properly.Too tight will compress the foot, and too loose will not prevent further deformity.Shoes should fit not only in length, but also in width.The right pair fits the foot well but doesn't weigh it down.Pay attention to the background - it should be dense and high.Otherwise, the shoes will not support the foot well in the correct position.The weight of the pair is of great importance.Shoes that are too heavy will cause tired feet.
Often, orthopedic shoes are made by craftsmen in salons according to personal measurements.There are manufacturers who mass produce such samples.