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Clinical Signs of Hallux Abducto Valgus

Hallux abducto valgus (HAV) is a painful foot condition that can lead to many problems. The term "hallux" refers to the big toe, and "valgus" is an anatomic term that indicates a deformity moving away from the body. Therefore, HAV describes the abduction of a person's big toe toward the smaller toes. Women tend to suffer from this condition more frequently than men do. People who don't wear shoes are unlikely to experience it.

  1. Initial Symptoms

    • A person's big toe starts to move inward and a bump forms on its inside, over the metatarsal bone. Known as a bunion, this bump can cause varying amounts of discomfort. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of a bunion include swelling, redness, or soreness around the big toe joint. A person's skin will also thicken at the base of the big toe.

    Increased Pain

    • Wearing shoes will irritate an existing HAV symptoms. The constant pressure that shoes put on the bunion and the metatarsal bone can cause the bone to thicken, which leads the bone to rub even more against a person's shoes and increases discomfort. Additionally, the force of the big toe leaning inward can cause toenails to grow into the sides of their nail beds. Hammer toes, the bending of smaller toes, is another possible effect.

    Restricted Movement

    • As the condition progresses, the second toe will start to move and overlap the big toe. This makes it even more difficult for sufferers to find shoes that fit and contributes to the growth of corns or calluses. Overlapping toes also limit a person's ability to move the big toe (hallux limitus). In an effort to reduce pain from this condition, a person may end up walking with toes turned outward. This walking style makes HAV symptoms worse. If left untreated, it could cause deformity.

    Treatment

    • The Mayo Clinic says that both surgical and non-surgical treatment options exist for HAV. Surgeons can attempt to remove a person's swollen tissue or straighten the big toe. Also, doctors can suggest more comfortable shoes, tape a person's foot, or prescribe medication.

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