OP
Before surgery, the indications for surgery should be clarified. If a painless hallux valgus is present, surgery should definitely not be performed. A worsening can be avoided by appropriate exercises and footwear.
If the pain is unbearable with conservative therapy and supporting insoles and no suitable shoes can be found due to the foot malposition, surgery should be considered. Especially since a deformation of the other toes with pressure points and arthrosis can be the result. The operation of a hallux valgus is minimally invasive.
As few screws and metal implants as possible are used in order to achieve the most physiological movement possible. For a lasting improvement, the tendons, capsule and muscles must also be brought into their normal position so that the forces acting on the big toe can be absorbed normally. In the operation the big toe is fixed from the bent angle back into the straight line with the help of screws and implants.
With today’s modern implants, full loading can be applied directly, which is always more comfortable for the patient. After 6 weeks wide shoes can be worn and after 10 weeks almost everything is possible again. However, it should always be noted that hallux valgus surgery is associated with a high tendency to swelling, which can be counteracted with lymph drainage.
Insoles and shoes
In addition to mobilization, strengthening and stretching exercises to prevent aggravation of the hallux valgus or to improve already existing pain, insoles for shoes should be used. The pain is caused by the forefoot being worn through due to the displacement of the metatarsals, therefore this area is buffered in the insoles to reduce the irritation. In addition, the insoles contain elevations which push the metatarsal area upwards and thus support the toe area.
These insoles are made by an orthopedic technician to fit the patient and his foot. The patient should wear these insoles in his shoes all day long. In the beginning, the patient may find them uncomfortable, as the foot muscles adapt and are trained accordingly.
Besides these passive insoles there are also active insoles. These insoles have elevations along the foot reflex zones to stimulate and activate them. This should also strengthen the foot muscles. A good possibility is that a specific insole can be directly integrated into the respective summer shoes (flip-flops, sandals, ballerina) so that the patient does not feel restricted in his quality of life due to the limited choice of shoes in summer.
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