Wearing high heels might cause Hallux Valgus

Feet are essential organs that used daily to support the whole body weight. Have you ever seen how normal or abnormal of your feet? Do you feel pain when you walk or wear your shoes? If the answer is “yes”, it might be the symptoms of Hallux Valgus.

The surgeon of Vejthani’s Total Joint Replacement center said that Hallux valgus, often referred to as “a bunion,” is a deformity of the big toe. The toe tilts over towards the smaller toes, and a bony lump appears on the inside of the foot. However, in the first stage of Hallux valgus, patients still cannot see any abnormal of the feet, but some patients might notice some abnormal of their toes and feel a little bit pain on the big toes. If carefully observe your feet, you will see a bony lump on the top of the big toe joint; it is called hallux rigidus. When the toe tilts over toward the smaller toes, the tension of the tendons will pull toes to the wrong direction so that it will cause pain. Hallux valgus can occur in both children and adults.

Causes of Hallux Valgus;

1. Abnormal Foot structures, such as Flat feet, Hallux rigidus, Hallux valgus, Morton’s toe, etc.
2. Muscles and tendons’ Disorder in the foot, such as Joint Hypermobility, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Tendinitis.
3. Hereditary, it usually found in people aged between 10-19 years old.
4. Wearing unfit shoes, such as Cone heels which squeeze the tip of the toe. It often found in women who love wearing high heels.

According to the causes mentioned, it will affect muscles, tendons, and toes. Therefore, there will be a pain in the toes, and it will be worst while wearing shoes, walking, running, and supporting the whole body’s weight.

The surgeon explain the Hallux valgus treatment methods. Basically, there are two treatment methods which are non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment. For patients who are in the first stage of Hallux valgus symptom, might choose the non-surgical treatment which are wearing suitable and soft platform shoes, avoid wearing high heels, wearing toe support device, that known as Gel toe separator, or wearing customized platform shoes that can support feet; it is especially for flat feet or Hallux rigidus patients in order to reduce pain. Foot massages, soaking in warm water, and cold compress also can reduce pain. However, non-surgical treatment is unable to bring abnormal toes back to normal as it used to be. For patients who have severe pain that affect daily life, might need surgical treatment, and there are a lot of surgical treatment methods. The surgeon will choose the right method that suitable for each patient such as, cutting a bony lump, cutting some part of the bone to rearrange the bone, joint connection, etc.

If you would like to avoid the risk of Hallux valgus, you should avoid wearing high heels or cone heels because it will squeeze your toes and cause Hallux valgus.