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Thomas Schreiber
I have been dealing with hallux valgus for several years and can advise you on all Hallufix products.
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Hallux valgus inflammation
Hallux valgus inflammation can significantly affect your everyday life. It is a deformity of the big toe, the severity of which can vary greatly. In Germany alone, more than 10 million people suffer from this condition. Here you can find out what causes this foot deformity, whether special hallux valgus splints can help and which home remedies provide relief.
Uncomfortable and pressing shoes can be one of the causes of the most common foot deformity in the world. But usually many factors combine to cause it. A hereditary predisposition due to weak connective tissue or splay feet can lead to hallux valgus. This often occurs on both feet at the same time, with the big toe bending beyond the outside of the foot at the base joint. The tip of the big toe points inwards during this process and the second toe is displaced or overlapped. This causes the metatarsal to press against the skin and the underlying bursa from the inside. As a result, the big toe is thickened, which is why hallux valgus is also called bunion.
To prevent hallux valgus, avoid squeezing shoes that push the toes together or cause blisters. Frequent barefoot walking and flat, wide shoes as well as regular foot exercises can prevent such a foot malposition. In case of a hereditary predisposition or splay feet, it is recommended to wear hallux valgus sandals and mules, even if there is not yet a pronounced deformity.
The hallux valgus causes, in particular, due to the malposition of the big toe, also a malposition of the complete foot. Since the big toe is no longer in contact with the ground, this type of incorrect loading often leads to Hallux valgus pain pain in the entire foot region when walking and also when standing. In an advanced stage, hallux valgus also hurts at rest. This can be the case due to swollen and chafed pressure points on the ball of the foot, as well as due to bursitis in the area of the ball of the big toe. Inflammation of the synovial membrane and dislocation of the sesamoid bones are also not uncommon and cause pain at rest.
Pain at rest
Hallux valgus also causes an incorrect load on the entire foot, especially due to the malposition of the big toe. Since the big toe is no longer in contact with the ground, this type of incorrect loading often leads to pain when walking and also when standing in the entire foot region.
In an advanced stage, hallux valgus also hurts at rest. This can be due to swollen and chafed pressure points on the ball of the foot, as well as bursitis in the area of the ball of the big toe. Inflammations of the synovial membrane and dislocations of the sesamoid bones are also not uncommon and cause pain at rest.
The foot malposition can also lead to hammer or claw toes, which can cause you additional problems and pain. Calluses, corns and increased callus formation are also concomitant diseases of hallux valgus.
Surgery or conservative, non-surgical treatment?
Often the question arises whether an operation is really necessary or whether the toe malposition can be corrected by an appropriate hallux valgus joint splint. At an early stage of the deformity, the feet can be stabilised by physiotherapy. Even muscular stabilisation rarely compensates for an insufficient capsular and ligamentous apparatus. Midfoot bandages and hallux valgus splints are very useful here and help to relieve the foot. The progression of the disease can be temporarily slowed down or even stopped.
It is often not the hallux valgus itself that is painful, but the consequences of it, such as a hammer toe. Surgery is usually appropriate for moderate and severe deformities if they cause discomfort. An early discussion with a foot surgeon can provide clarity and inform about the further course and the chances of success of a possible operation.
Can a Hallux valgus regress?
Hallux valgus will not regress on its own. However, it can be contained in the early stages of symptoms and further progression can be stopped. Special hallux valgus shoes and joint splints can, however, correct the toe malposition and protect and relieve the painful bunion area.
Correction of toe malpositioning by means of a splint
Especially for sufferers of hallux valgus, there is a corresponding splint, which can correct the malpositioning of the big toe. In particular, the Hallufix® Hallux valgus splint contains a patented joint splint system that allows the foot to move both during the day when walking and at night. When wearing such a joint splint, the natural mobility of the big toe joint is thus preserved. The hallux valgus splint protects and relieves the painful bunion and returns the foot to its natural shape. Unlike conventional splints, the Hallufix® Hallux valgus splint , for example, corrects the progressive malposition of the joint by expanding the shrunken capsule. The rolling motion of the foot can thus be performed again without pain.
The Hallufix® Hallux valgus splint can be used both preventively and to counteract a worsening of the malpositioning of the big toe. In most cases, conservative follow-up treatment with an appropriate joint splint is recommended after a hallux valgus operation. The Hallufix® Hallux valgus splint protects the foot under load and helps to stabilize the surgically achieved reset of the toe.
Home remedies and ointments
Once hallux valgus inflammation has developed, you naturally want to relieve and treat it. But what exactly is zutun and what home remedies can help?
Calendula leaves have an anti-inflammatory effect and help relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, squeeze the marigold petals with your hands to extract the juice from them. This is then to be applied to the inflamed areas and allowed to dry. This can be repeated several times a day. Alternatively, a calendula ointment (Calendula) can be purchased in health food stores or pharmacies.
In the treatment of hallux valgus inflammation, the use of Voltaren pain gel has also proven effective. This contains, among other things, the pain-relieving active ingredient diclofenac and can help to relieve the inflammation for a short time.
To be able to go through everyday life again with ease, the use of a Hallufix® Hallux Valgus splint or also the wearing of Hallufix® sandals is recommended. In combination with home remedies and ointments, these can not only correct the big toe malposition, they also enable a pain-free life again !
