Have you heard the term "hallux valgus," and wondered what it meant? Probably you knew that this term is related to a deformity, but beyond that you may not have known the full meaning.
Breaking down the components of this phrase, we first have the Latin word "hallux.
" Used in association with the animal world, this word refers to the first digit of the hind foot.
As it relates specifically to humans, which is what we are interested in, this Latin word "hallux" designates "the great toe.
" The second component of this phrase is the Latin adjective "valgus", which is best described as meaning "turned away from the midline of the body.
" In other words, bent or twisted outward in a way that represents a deformity.
The parts of the body that are most often subject to this kind of deformity are the hip, knee, ankle, elbows, and, the subject of this discussion, the toe.
As you can now see, "hallux valgus" refers to the outward turning of the bone of the joint of the great toe, or as we say, the big toe, in an abnormal manner.
This is the hallux valgus deformity.
This outward turning of the bone of the joint, also known as the first metatarsophalangeal joint, is usually combined with soft tissue enlargement under the skin that shows up as a bump on the outside of the foot.
This bump is what we call a bunion.
In the medical profession today, the term "hallux valgus" is used to denote the condition of having a bunion.
The unfortunate fact is that hallux valgus is a progressive deformity, meaning that this condition will not simply go away, and will actually get worse if not tended to properly.
Tending property to this foot disorder means first of all only wearing shoes that give your toes plenty of room.
Pressure of any kind on your toes will advance the speed at which the deformity progressives, and burden you with increasing swelling, redness, and pain.
The height of the heels of your shoes are also important.
Heels higher than two inches create too much gravity as your foot is pushed down into the toe box and result in too much pressure on your forefoot.
Various inexpensive aids, such as bunion guards, are designed to reduce the pain of bunions.
Many people have success wearing bunion splints.
However, if proper footwear and bunion aid products do not significantly reduce the pain, surgery is for hallux valgus must be seriously considered.
Breaking down the components of this phrase, we first have the Latin word "hallux.
" Used in association with the animal world, this word refers to the first digit of the hind foot.
As it relates specifically to humans, which is what we are interested in, this Latin word "hallux" designates "the great toe.
" The second component of this phrase is the Latin adjective "valgus", which is best described as meaning "turned away from the midline of the body.
" In other words, bent or twisted outward in a way that represents a deformity.
The parts of the body that are most often subject to this kind of deformity are the hip, knee, ankle, elbows, and, the subject of this discussion, the toe.
As you can now see, "hallux valgus" refers to the outward turning of the bone of the joint of the great toe, or as we say, the big toe, in an abnormal manner.
This is the hallux valgus deformity.
This outward turning of the bone of the joint, also known as the first metatarsophalangeal joint, is usually combined with soft tissue enlargement under the skin that shows up as a bump on the outside of the foot.
This bump is what we call a bunion.
In the medical profession today, the term "hallux valgus" is used to denote the condition of having a bunion.
The unfortunate fact is that hallux valgus is a progressive deformity, meaning that this condition will not simply go away, and will actually get worse if not tended to properly.
Tending property to this foot disorder means first of all only wearing shoes that give your toes plenty of room.
Pressure of any kind on your toes will advance the speed at which the deformity progressives, and burden you with increasing swelling, redness, and pain.
The height of the heels of your shoes are also important.
Heels higher than two inches create too much gravity as your foot is pushed down into the toe box and result in too much pressure on your forefoot.
Various inexpensive aids, such as bunion guards, are designed to reduce the pain of bunions.
Many people have success wearing bunion splints.
However, if proper footwear and bunion aid products do not significantly reduce the pain, surgery is for hallux valgus must be seriously considered.