Hallux Valgus

What is Hallux valgus?

Hallux Valgus is the name given to the protrusion seen on the big toe, mostly seen in women. Thumb protrusion is a problem that is often seen together with flat feet. As a result of the organs that need to spring sufficiently in the patient's foot not doing their job sufficiently, the big toe is faced with a secondary deformity when it remains under load. Over time, as the finger turns inward, the person's metatarsal bone turns outward. As the angle increases over time, the protrusion in that area becomes evident.

Who gets hallux valgus?

Hallux valgus disease becomes evident at the age of 7-8 in those with genetic characteristics.

Acquired hallux valgus disease begins to be seen in people's 30s, when their shoes start to change.

It is the thumb protrusion that begins to become evident around the age of 70, which occurs due to the effect of osteoporosis.

What are the treatment options for hallux valgus? ?

Surgery has the most important place in hallux valgus surgery. In this condition, the only treatment method that can be recommended after the patient develops pain is surgery. The night roller to be used on the patient, various silicone apparatus that allows the thumb to rest on the side, and personalized insoles to be used are used only to slow down the progression of the disease and reduce the patient's pain. The surgery is performed to correct the disorder in the person's foot.

Hallux Valgus Surgery

The main idea in hallux valgus surgery is to ensure that the metatarsal bone, which has turned outward, returns to its old position. At this point, it will be decided which type of surgery will be applied according to the age of the patient, the degree of deformity, whether there is an accompanying rheumatic disease, and the amount of deterioration and cartilage loss (calcification) in the joint.

The aim of the Hallux Valgus surgery is to reshape the comb bone. An incision will be made on the bone. In order to preserve the new shape, various screw systems, also called hallux valgus implantation, will be applied to the metatarsal bone, depending on the surgery performed and the surgeon's preference. placed in these patients The screws are placed to remain in the patient as long as they do not cause any special problems. Screws can be removed due to infection, the screw being palpable or causing pain. The important point here is that this surgery is not a shaving surgery. The main idea in these surgeries is to change the angle of the metatarsal bone.

Period After Hallux Valgus Surgery

It can be summarized as 3 periods after thumb protrusion surgery. The first period after hallux valgus surgery is the rest period, which varies between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on the technique of the surgery. During this period, the patient will rest except for essential needs such as using the toilet at home. After surgery, patients can move with a shoe called a hallux valgus shoe. The main purpose of this period is to prevent foot swelling. During this period, care is taken to keep the foot elevated and apply ice.

Patients start wearing sports shoes in the 2nd period after hallux valgus surgery. This period lasts approximately 6 weeks. In the fight against swelling, keeping the foot elevated and applying ice continues, but it is not as intense as the first period. Patients can return to their work lives during this period.
Additionally, finger movement is increased with swimming and various exercises.

The last period is the transition to normal shoes. In this period, patients first use the shoes they used before the surgery and begin to feel comfortable wearing shoes after 4-6 months, depending on the surgery technique.

It is very important to discuss the surgery technique to be performed in the treatment of this disease in detail with the physician and to clarify the post-operative period.

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