Hallux valgus caused by high heels, prevention and treatment

What is hallux valgus?

Hallux valgus, a condition in which the toes are deformed by wearing high heels for a long time, is a very common condition that occurs in 3-40% of women over 40. Hallux valgus is even nicknamed "the punishment of modern people who pursue beauty," and if left untreated for a long time, it can cause problems in the entire foot, not just one toe.

Causes of hallux valgus 

Hallux valgus develops due to both congenital and acquired factors.Just because a parent has hallux valgus does not mean that their child will develop it, but if there is a family history of it, the probability of developing it may increase. However, even if you are not born with such a genetic factor, it can be caused by acquired factors such as running in high heels or wearing them frequently.

If the joints are round due to genetic predisposition, the muscles are easily dislocated and the bones become dislocated. No matter how careful you are, these missing muscles can cause the tendons to pull and accelerate toe deformity even while you sleep, so you need to treat them aggressively

Treatment of hallux valgus

Aggressive treatment is required before the deformity from the toe to the other toe with hallux valgus occurs. There are five main types of treatment.

First, wear the right shoes

You should choose shoes that are 1~1.5cm larger than your foot so that your toes can be free.

Second, padding and strapping

With padding and strapping, it's important to always keep your feet soft and in an environment that won't affect your joints.

Third, prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs

If you take anti-inflammatory drugs for 5~7 days and proceed with toe exercises, it may be effective in preventing hallux valgus for several months or even years.

Fourth, wear a brace

Wearing a toe brace for 10~20 minutes and a period of 6 months~1 year can also be a type of treatment. However, once a tendon has already fallen out, it is difficult to treat it with a brace, so you can think of it as a preventive measure before a major deformation occurs.

Fifth, surgical treatment

There is a surgical procedure in which the deformity caused by hallux valgus progresses and the part where the pain occurs is shaved off and connected to each other in a straight line. Surgical treatment is a treatment that can be performed when the disease has developed and the deformity is already so advanced that other treatments are ineffective. After 1~2 days after surgery, you can walk slowly and return to your daily life after about a month.

Rather than painful surgery, it is better to adopt lifestyle habits that can prevent hallux valgus in real life. Among them, it is recommended to avoid as much as possible the wearing of high heels, which provoke joint dislocation and also adversely affect the knees and lower back.