Valgus deformity is a fairly common problem, especially among women of mature age. The bumps at the base of the big toe do not look very beautiful, and as the disease progresses, the pathology causes significant physical discomfort. So what is the treatment of a bone on the thumb? What tools does modern medicine offer?
What is hallux valgus?
Ugly bumps on the legs in most cases are nothing more than hallux valgus deformity of the big toe. Under the influence of certain reasons, the redistribution of the load on the foot changes, which, in turn, leads to a deviation of the phalanx of the thumb from the natural axis. Of course, such changes affect the condition of all the bones of the foot - if left untreated, the deformity gradually covers all the phalanges and joints.
Main causes of foot deformity
In fact, such a pathology of the feet develops under the influence of many factors - both external and internal. First of all, in the list of reasons, you need to indicate a genetic predisposition - if a mother has a hallux valgus deformity of the thumb, then it is highly likely that similar foot diseases will appear in her daughters. By the way, female sex can be attributed to risk factors, since in women of mature age such an ailment is diagnosed most often.
In addition, the disease is often associated with wearing uncomfortable shoes with high unstable heels and narrow toes. The fact is that such shoes create an imbalance while walking - the main load falls on the forefoot.
Risk factors also include flat feet of the transverse type, in which there is a change in muscle tone in the forefoot. On the other hand, excess weight also creates additional stress, which increases the risk of deformities. Occasionally, bones in the legs appear as a result of a mechanical injury, such as a bruise, fracture, or dislocation.
Stages of disease progression
Unfortunately, this disease of the foot is considered a fairly common problem. And here it is very important to notice the appearance of deformation in the early stages, when everything can still be corrected without resorting to the help of a surgeon. In modern medicine, it is customary to distinguish four stages in the development of valgus deformity of the thumb:
- First degree. Accompanied by a slight deviation of the thumb(less than 20 degrees) and is more of an aesthetic than physical inconvenience.
- At the second stage of the development of the disease, the deviation angle is approximately 20-30 degrees.
- The third stage is characterized by a displacement of 30-50 degrees, while there is an initial deformation of the other phalanges of the foot and limited movement in the joints of the big toe.
- In the fourth stage, the angle of deviation is more than 50 degrees, while there is a significant deformation of the entire foot, and patients complain of constant pain.
In any case, you should understand that such foot diseases are extremely unpleasant and dangerous. Therefore, if small bumps appear at the base of the big toe, you should immediately seek help from an orthopedist.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Of course, hallux valgus is accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms. In the initial stages, you can notice the formation of small bulges, "bones" at the base of the big toe. At first, patients perceive this phenomenon more as a cosmetic defect, since there is no physical discomfort.
But as the disease progresses, the thumb begins to deviate in relation to other phalanges. Patients complain of heaviness in the legs and soreness that appears during long walking, especially in uncomfortable shoes. In the third stage, pain becomes a constant companion of a person. Often, the affected joints begin to become inflamed - the soft tissues swell, and the skin turns red. The fourth stage of the development of the disease is characterizeddeformation of almost all phalanges of the toes - pain is constantly present, even at rest.
Diagnostic Methods
Suspicion of hallux valgus is not so difficult, especially if the patient asked for help in the later stages of the development of the disease. However, there are other foot diseases that are accompanied by similar symptoms - for example, skeletal deformity can be associated with arthritis, gout and other diseases. Therefore, the patient is recommended to undergo some additional tests, in particular, an X-ray examination - in the picture, the doctor will be able to accurately see the presence of deformity and its severity, which, accordingly, will give answers to the question of how to properly treat such a disease of the foot.
Treatment of the bone on the thumb
If there is the slightest suspicion of the development of deformity, you should consult a doctor. Treatment of the bone on the thumb largely depends on the stage of development of the disease. At the initial stages, the situation can be corrected with the help of conservative means, but in any case, it is worth preparing for the fact that the therapy will be long and complex.
If there is an inflammatory process, then first the doctor needs to eliminate it in order to alleviate the patient's condition. For this purpose, various anti-inflammatory drugs are used - special gels and ointments have the greatest effect in this case.
In addition, it is important to choose the right shoes. Fromhigh heels and narrow toes will have to be abandoned in favor of comfortable leather shoes with a wide toe. Ideally, shoes should be orthopedic and contribute to the correct distribution of the load on the foot. Your doctor will also advise you on an appropriate diet to help control your weight and reduce your chances of developing inflammation.
Regular (daily) exercises for the feet will be extremely useful, which will help restore mobility to the ligamentous apparatus. In addition, do not forget that tense muscles also contribute to deformation - in order to eliminate this risk factor, patients are advised to undergo a course of therapeutic massage.
Naturally, therapy includes all kinds of physiotherapy. In particular, patients are offered therapeutic baths, as well as electrophoresis with drugs, ultrasound therapy, mud therapy.
Orthopedic appliances for deformity correction
Modern orthopedics offers a lot of tools that help correct the deformity in the early stages. For example, patients are advised to get special insoles that provide unloading of the affected joint.
In addition, a special bandage for the bones on the leg is considered effective, which “takes” the finger in the right direction and holds it. Such a device is most often worn at night, as it is not very comfortable to walk in it.
Interdigital bolsters and special arch supports help to properly distribute the load onforefoot and visually align it. Straps are used to support the transverse arch of the foot, but they are not intended for permanent wear.
One of the most effective products of modern orthopedics are splints that have overlays for the thumb bone. They are used both for conservative treatment and during the rehabilitation period after surgery. This splint can be worn all the time, even under shoes.
Surgical treatment of pathology
Unfortunately, bumps on the thumbs are not always amenable to conservative methods of treatment. In some cases, you still have to resort to the help of a surgeon. To date, there are more than a thousand methods for performing such operations - the choice of a method for correcting a deformity depends on the degree of development of the disease and associated pathologies.
In some cases, part of the metatarsal head or the phalanx of the thumb is removed. But most often, doctors manage to restore the normal structure of the foot. During the procedure, the surgeon restores the ligaments around the joints and returns them to their normal position. If necessary, the bones are fixed with special screws. Only in the most severe cases, the affected joints of the foot are replaced with implants.
Rehabilitation period after surgery
The duration of the rehabilitation period depends primarily on the degree of complexity of the operation. In most cases already 1-2day, the patient can and even needs to make gentle movements with his fingers. As a rule, after 10 days the patient can already walk, but, of course, observing some precautions. It is worth avoiding prolonged and intense stress on the joints of the feet.
In addition, you should take care of the appropriate shoes - they must be comfortable, with a wide toe and good cushioning. By the way, it's best to ask your doctor to find the right pair of orthopedic boots for you.
Prevention measures
It is much easier to prevent the development of a deformity than to try to find an effective treatment for a bone on the thumb later. And the preventive measures here are quite simple. First of all, you should give up uncomfortable shoes. The heel must be stable and not too high (no more than five centimeters), and the toe must be wide enough not to put pressure on the phalanges. At least that's what everyday shoes should look like - you can make an exception for festive occasions.
Remember that the joints of the foot support the weight of your body, so watch your figure and prevent the development of obesity. Foot care is also extremely important - regular warm baths, massages and foot exercises will be really very useful.
Valgus deformity in children
In children, a similar ailment most often occurs in the form of flat-valgus flat feet, in which there is a deformation of the arch of the foot - the heels of a small patient are deviated outward. This disease can lead to somecomplications. To begin with, it is worth noting that as the child grows older, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to move, because walking is accompanied by constant pain. In addition, the curvature of other joints and bones, including the spine, is not ruled out.
Fortunately, with timely detection and treatment of the disease, the prognosis for children is favorable. In most cases, the deformity can be corrected without surgery. Special orthopedic shoes are selected for children, a program for gymnastics is drawn up, and regular massage sessions are also recommended. Riding a bicycle, walking barefoot on uneven surfaces (for example, on pebbles), as well as swimming will have a positive effect on the development of the skeletal and muscular system. Surgical treatment of valgus feet in children is carried out only if conservative therapy has not given a positive result.
