Do you have pain at the base of your big toe? Does your toe sit at a different angle than your other toes? Hallux valgus is an increased angle of your great toe when it deviates towards the second toe

Hallux

Valgus

Do you have pain at the base of your big toe? Does your toe sit at a different angle than your other toes? Hallux valgus is an increased angle of your great toe when it deviates towards the second toe. Hallux valgus is usually seen in athletes or other individuals with excessive foot pronation or flat foot posturing. Hallux valgus can also be attributed to the splayfoot syndrome which is associated with widening of the forefoot when weight is placed on the foot. Due to the foot sitting in an altered position and the compression from foot wear, calluses, additional bone growth, pain and thickening of a bursa (bunion) can occur at the base of the big toe.
Physiotherapists treat this condition, “Hallux Valgus”. Retraining the muscles of the foot (intrinsic foot muscles) has a very important role in stabilizing the foot. Control of intrinsic foot muscles are essential in order to stabilize the small bones of the midfoot/forefoot and to help control the rate of pronation or lowering of the arch. Treatment may also include strengthening of the tibialis posterior and other muscle of the foot/lower leg, orthotics, ultrasound (to decrease the bursitis), correcting forefoot width of footwear and manual joint mobilization techniques to improve movement of the great toe joint and other related joints. Posturing of the whole leg and pelvis is evaluated since abnormal movements may be occurring in joints above the foot and may be contributing to increased stress on the big toe.
Other clinical common overuse injuries that are also linked to pes planus (flat footed posturing) include plantar fascitis, Achilles tendonitis, and shin splints. These too are successfully treated by our Physiotherapists.

If you think you have Hallux Valgus, please don’t wait for it to become painful. Book an appointment with one of our Registered Physiotherapists!