Does the wrong shoes cause hallux valgus?
introduction
One always increasing problem are in medicine Misaligned feet and Deformitiesthat for example by wrong footwear can be triggered. The consequences are Pain, cramps and misalignments such as Inflammation of the joints. Zu shoes that are too high or too tightwho have been a Compression on the foot and especially the toes exercise lead to a Malposition of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. Here the big toe gives way towards the other toes from the straight basic position. Through the Big toe pressure on the other toes will this compressed and give way to this pressure by yourself Form hammer or claw toes. These are not only aesthetically disturbing, but aggravate the foot deformity additionally. The other toes as well as the ball of the toe can also pass through the increased pressure load also to start pain. So it can be too ugly Joint inflammation come that the Joint capsule always weakens. This clinical picture will too hallux valgus called.
Is the hallux valgus already strongly pronounced, it can too Unsteadiness and Incorrect loads come, with the Greatly changed gait and also other joints, such as the ankle affected become. This restricts the quality of life of patients mostly strong one and gradually leads to one Immobilization. Usually one is Surgery is the only alternativeto correct this serious misalignment. Will be here Waited too long, the joint will stiffen and the metatarsus more and more.
The Secondary illness hallux valgus is a Hallux rigidus. This describes a Big toe joint arthrosis, the due to the misalignment and increased stress is triggered. Most of all are young women affected by this ailment as this is common High heels and attach great importance to the fashionable appearance of the shoes, but not enough value to comfort. In addition, the foot sends at constant pressure load too few pain stimuli to the body, he rather gets used to the pain and the wrong shoe, so that symptoms and severe pain and inflammation only occur in the event of a severe deformity of the foot skeleton. In this case Usually only an operation will helpto get a permanent pain relief bring about, however, this is Bone remodeling operation a great intervention and should only in the case of considerable suffering and severe pain be performed.
In the surgery success both one Correction of bone deformity, as well as a Restoring the balance between tendons and muscles with the bone direction and a Tightening of the joint capsule as an additional stabilization. Depending on whether a full load as quickly as possible is desired or a sufficiently long healing time is possible with more or less implants worked. Metal implant and screws help with the Fixation the bone rearrangement, however, they are Foreign material to the body and can therefore also use the Make scarring and healing difficult.
Alternatively There are quite a few for this surgical procedure preventive and mitigating measures, the especially in the early stages can help the disease. These include in particular the special hallux valgus shoes and special support aidswho the Relieve the toes and forefoot should. Different models of the special hallux valgus shoes can both as Preventive measure, as Possibility to improve the pressure load and the pain with existing hallux valgus or as Forefoot relief shoe after hallux valgus surgery can be used.
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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
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Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by diseases of the foot. In some cases, the cause of the foot discomfort cannot be identified at first.
Therefore, the treatment of the foot (e.g. Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, etc.) requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of foot diseases.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
Types of shoes
To the Forefoot relief shoe are special high standards posed, because he is supposed to freshly operated forefoot a enable undisturbed wound healing. For that, a open forefoot area and a stiff and firm sole needed. This ensures a Mobility regained relatively quickly after the operation. Still it should Foot often raised and not too heavily loaded be to a to enable optimal healing.
Is the hallux valgus only slightly pronounced and still in the early stages, often helps one Change to the right footwear, one deterioration, and thus to avoid necessary surgery. So there is special insoles as prophylaxis that the Longitudinal arches of the foot supported and the Lift the metatarsal bonesto one to counteract the splayfoot. So-called Activate sensorimotor insoles also the Muscles of the foot and the toes and take care of one Strengthening this.
There is also Metatarsal bandages, the worn permanently in the shoe should be or special rails for the night. The bandages for the day support the foot through a pad called a pelotte, protects the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe from friction, softens the compression and in some cases also includes one antimicrobial coating, which is supposed to prevent bacterial infections.
An alternative form of therapy is Hallux valgus splint, the worn at night will and most of all postoperatively is used. she stretches the joint capsule of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe slowly and corrects the misalignment. Similar corrective orthoses is also available in one flexible Shape. These will worn during the day and also correct the misalignment and also relieve pain. However, this is no longer makes sense with a completely stiff toe and a complete correction the misalignment is due to the splint alone impossible.
At a existing hallux valgus in the early stages that is Wearing special shoes important. There are some companies here that specialize in making shoes that Provide sufficient space for the forefoot, lateral elastic stretch zones have and by padding relieve the forefoot. You have a flexible and soft footbedthat avoids unnecessary compression and is extra padded, as hallux valgus feet are often particularly sensitive to pressure.
Preventive measures
It has already been medically proven that hallux valgus is not caused by genetic inheritance or that it increases the risk of the disease, but rather Years of wearing the wrong footwear alone are to blame for this misalignment is. Especially Heel shoes and shoes that are too tight, pointy and narrow can trigger the disease. In addition, modern shoe fashion also leads to pathological changes in the skeleton of the foot or shortening of the Achilles tendon. As Preventive measure everyone should get used to often walking barefoot and to get used to this as a routine at home, for example. This will make the Toes not compressed and can your regain natural spread. Socks and stockings also put some compression on the toes, so that's it Wearing toe socks for the Preservation of mobility every single toe conducive.
Of the next step would be that Wearing barefoot shoes or even Toe shoes, the one encourage flexible movement of each toe and the Relieve the forefoot. These shoes are especially helpful for feet that tend to splay feet. Toe shoes are now available for adults and children as well as sports or leisure shoes. in the summer This is also the case for patients with a tendency to hallux valgus Wearing flip flops to recommend. These shoes only have a small bridge between the big toe and the second toe and are otherwise very openso that here too a flexible movement every toe is possible.
One more way, Misaligned feet to prevent is this Muscle training of the leg and foot muscles by targeted patient training and the physical therapy. Foot and toe gymnastics strengthens the muscles, tightens the connective tissue and thus helps to avoid malpositions of the feet. The patient can do the Spiral dynamics techniques learn. This is a special exercise and strengthening programthrough which the Toes actively posed can be.
