A hallux valgus (commonly known as bunion) is a bony bump, usually at the bottom of the big toe. A hallux valgus is a sometimes painful deformity of the bones and the joint between the big toe and the foot. A hallux valgus could have developed via long-term irritation (inflammation) from arthritis, loosely fitting shoes, and heredity, any of which can cause this joint at the base of the big toe to thicken and enlarge.
When the angle between the bones of the big and second toes is bigger than normal, the big toe moves towards the second toe and will usually goes over or under it. In some cases the adjacent toes begin to buckle or become a "hammer toe".
A hallux valgus (excess or misaligned bone in the joint) and is one of the most common big toe problems. 9 out of 10 bunions happen to women. 9 out of 10 women wear shoes that are too small.
A hallux valgus changes the shape of your foot, making it even harder to find shoes that fit. But you do not have to hobble for the rest of your life.
To lessen the chance of developing a hallux valgus, choose shoes that accommodate the shape of your feet; many hallux valgus are caused by poorly-fitting shoes, which may be too tight, short, or sharply pointed.
Hallux valgus can be treated, and with your podiatrist's help, your feet can feel and look better. All you need is a bunion operation, and have a good bunion surgery recovery to feel and look fantastic again.
There are two additional problems of the big toe joint that we should discuss called hallux limitus, hallux rigidus, both of which are collectively called a dorsal bunion. Hallux limitus and hallux rigidus are two cousins of hallux valgus, or what we've described already as a bunion.
Hallux limitus is a bony proliferation and articular degeneration of the first metatarsophalangeal joint that is characterized by pain and a progressive decrease in the dorsiflexion range of motion.
Hallux rigidus is a condition caused by degenerative arthritis (oseoarthritis) of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe and characterized by pain and limited dorsiflexion, but relatively unrestricted plantar flexion.
Hallux limitus and hallux rigidus are the same condition at different stages of development. Hallux refers to the big toe. Limitus and rigidus describe the limitation or lack of motion of the big toe joint. The name dorsal bunion came about because, in cases of hallux limitus and hallux rigidus, the bump on the big toe joint forms on the top of the joint rather than on the medial side.
