Hallux Valgus

Hallux Valgus, often referred to as a bunion, is a condition of the foot that describes the position of the big toe. In this condition, the big toe points towards the second toe. It is often progressive, and can lead to pain in the big toe, a large bump on the side of the foot, and pain in other areas of the foot as well. It occurs due to underlying mechanics of the foot, genetic predisposition, trauma, or poorly fitting shoes. Symptoms often include pain, stiffness, swelling, and progressive deformity of the foot and toes.

Treatment of hallux valgus is often surgical, though there are non-surgical management strategies that can be successful in some patients. Non-surgical strategies include use of wider shoes, padding, pain relieving medications, and orthotics.

Surgical management is designed to address the underlying bony deformity, and often involves realigning the great toe and the bones of the foot. These cases vary based on the patient’s anatomy, and a careful evaluation by a foot and ankle surgeon should be performed prior to surgery.