What is it and how is the hallux valgus?
Written by:Hallux valgus is a deformity of the big toe (hallux) and is the most common deformity of the forefoot. The bulge is seen in the inner edge is popularly known as bunion, and sometimes very painful.
Why appears the hallux valgus?
Its causes are multifactorial: genetic, anatomic alterations suede foot (pes planus, metatarsus varus ...), muscle imbalances, improper use of footwear (narrow toe and high heel ...). However, the footwear is the most narrow point when there is an anatomic determining predisposition foot.
Hallux valgus can be mild, moderate or severe. Patients usually consult when pain and / or when they find it difficult to put on. The specialist Traumatology must assess each case individually through good physical examination and x - rays, in order to apply the most appropriate surgical techniques in each case.
How is the hallux valgus?
Surgery can be performed percutaneously through mini-incisions or openly with a local incision at the level of the area to be treated.
It is usually reserved for cases Percutaneous Surgery Hallux valgus mild. a very thin and small tools knife is used, so that, through some incisions of about 5 mm, the deformity is removed. This operation is performed on an outpatient basis, the patient is discharged the same day of the intervention, which may support the foot is bandaged, preferably using a postoperative orthopedic shoe. It is not a painful procedure and only patients take painkillers during the first days. Still, it should perform relative rest in the first two weeks to prevent swelling. Footwear and normal life is usually recovered from the month after the intervention.
When the deformity is greater for open surgery, where osteotomies are performed (bone cuts) that are fixed with screws to ensure a permanent correction is chosen. This surgery is also performed under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis. Postoperatively it is similar to percutaneous surgery and is not much more painful, although it should pay more attention to the surgical wound.
You should also evaluate other possible concomitant forefoot problems such as pain in the support of the metatarsals (metatarsalgia) and deformities of the minor toes. Thus, it can act on them in the same surgical procedure, without thereby increase surgical risks and postoperative.
What if untreated Hallux valgus?
Normally when a hallux valgus starts aching and deforming the footwear, surgical correction is recommended. Not operated in the early stages deformity will continue to grow more and more and thus the problems in the rest of fingers, foot and even ankle before, so it will become increasingly difficult to correct the deformity and ensure the success of the surgery.
