What are the symptoms of hallux valgus?

Hallux Guide

Recognizing hallux valgus symptoms

Hallux valgus, also known as bunion, is the most common foot deformity worldwide – predominantly in women. Symptoms can occur on either one or both feet . The toe misalignment can take on a variety of forms. Symptoms include visible changes to the foot and pain of varying intensity and occurring under different conditions. The signs of hallux valgus are therefore visible and palpable.

The good news first: Women with hallux valgus don't have to go without trendy shoes - because at GoBunion you can live out your passion for fashion without any worries. Being stylish without compromise can be so easy.

The first symptoms of hallux valgus

In a healthy foot, the big toe has an angle of 10 to 15 degrees. Viewed from above, it looks straight. The first manifestation of hallux valgus is primarily noticeable through a visible symptom: sustained pressure on the forefoot causes a Displacement of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe , which is visible as a bulge on the inside of the foot. When this symptom first occurs, the  Foot mostly still pain-free and the resulting bunion is considered a cosmetic defect at best.

However, there are some signs that may indicate the development of hallux valgus even before this symptom occurs. For example, if you have a splayfoot with the typically lowered arch of the foot and notices calluses on the sole of the foot, is more likely to develop hallux valgus. Pressure points and redness The first symptoms of hallux valgus can occur above the base joint of the big toe.

A hallux valgus does not appear overnight without being noticed. It is usually announced by pain in the ball of the foot. The first sign is often redness caused by rubbing against the shoe.

What can you do about hallux symptoms?

In order to treat the symptoms of hallux valgus specifically, it is first necessary to classify it into the appropriate stage. You should have a doctor make the final assessment of the current stage. Make sure that the big toe is moving. This can be done by using our toe separators, hosiery or walking barefoot. You can also alleviate symptoms and strengthen the foot muscles with targeted foot exercises. This can also reduce symptoms of other foot problems. In an advanced stage, surgery may be necessary.

Depending on the stage, treatment can lead to further The progression of the misalignment can be stopped or even improved . Frequent barefoot walking on different surfaces and gripping exercises with the toes are definitely good ways to To alleviate symptoms. Avoiding high and pointed shoes made of rigid materials also has a positive effect on the health of the foot. This way you avoid putting excessive strain on and constricting the forefoot and toes.

Hallux rigidus usually does not result in a strengthened ball, but rather pain occurs in the ball area. It describes a joint in the big toe that slowly becomes stiffer.

Hallux valgus and its different stages

Doctors divide hallux valgus into four stages for which different visible and tangible symptoms are typical. In addition, the severity of the pain and visible symptoms is always individual. One thing that all stages have in common is the progressive inclination of the big toe , which gradually lies over the other toes. This causes the bulging of the metatarsophalangeal joint on the inside of the foot that is typical of a bunion.

First stage

This stage is characterized by a gentle inclination of the toe which manifests itself in a slight bulge on the inside of the foot. This bulge is usually reddened by increased pressure, but even without this skin discoloration it is clearly visible and has an inclination of up to 20 degrees. In this phase, when walking, first pain However, many people do not experience any symptoms in the first stage. It is therefore worth counteracting the progression of the foot deformity with exercises and good shoes so that pain does not occur in the first place.

Second stage

At this stage, the bursa under the skin is usually inflamed. If the skin tears, bacterial infection can also occur. Pain is often felt when moving, the big toe pushes clearly towards the smaller toes and reaches an angle of inclination of up to 30 degrees. Sometimes in this stage of hallux valgus, symptoms such as tingling on the inside of the big toe occur.

Third stage

The third stage is reached when the big toe under or over the adjacent toe This can be accompanied by an angle of up to 50 degrees. The palpable symptoms in this phase include a possible numbness on the inside of the big toe and pain that continues even when the foot is not moving. This resting pain occurs mainly when falling asleep.

Fourth stage

This stage is in the rarest of cases . But if this happens, the hallux valgus symptoms are extreme. They show up in a bend of up to 90 degrees of the big toe above or below the other toes. The foot is extremely spread, and Pain in the metatarsal bone and impairment of the smaller toes.

It is important to note that at all stages you may not experience any pain. Nevertheless, you should relieve the pressure on your ankles as often as possible. Our toe spreaders are designed so that they can be worn for all types of deformities.

Hallux valgus and its development

Who hasn't experienced this: You've finally found your dream shoes, but after just a short time of wearing them, they start to feel tight and uncomfortable - and end up in the closet forever. Women who suffer from hallux valgus know how difficult it is to find pretty shoes that meet the special needs of their feet. And there are quite a few of them. 

At GoBunion we know the needs of women with hallux valgus, limitus, ridigus and feet with special needs. But we don’t just want beautiful solutions for demanding feet but also explain the causes of hallux valgus. Here we will tell you how this misalignment occurs.

Physical factors as a cause of hallux valgus

One family history, age and gender of a person can each play a role in the development of a hallux valgus deformity. In a few cases, a congenital deformity of the big toe can also be the reason for a hallux valgus. Rarer causes are:

• Deformations of the joints
• rheumatic diseases
• incorrectly healed bone fractures

If several relatives have hallux valgus, the probability is higher that you will suffer from a misalignment of the big toe sooner or later. What is inherited is not the misalignment itself, but a tendency towards weak connective tissue . This can lead to weak ligaments in the foot, which can then cause the tendons and muscles of the metatarsal bone to spread. For example, a splayfoot can develop, in which the forefoot is subjected to greater strain. Such a splayfoot can in any case encourage the formation of hallux valgus. 

Regardless of the cause of hallux valgus, a doctor can give you an individual recommendation on how to best treat the hallux valgus and whether a Surgery is necessary. Perhaps you can also counteract the symptoms of the misalignment with targeted exercises.

What role does age and gender play in hallux valgus?

It is by no means the case that only middle-aged people suffer from hallux valgus. However, a misalignment usually over a longer period of time . This means: the longer unfavourable factors such as shoes that are too tight affect the foot, and the later you counteract these, the more likely it is that hallux valgus will develop after a certain age.
Therefore, people with a known pre-existing condition, a splay foot or an already beginning misalignment of the big toe should make sure that they do enough sport in order to to strengthen the connective tissue into old age . In addition, Toe separator socks and the right footwear are measures that can counteract hallux valgus.

Overall, the foot deformity is divided into four stages, each of which is characterized by a specific combination of visible and palpable symptoms. Of course, the intensity of pain associated with which visible symptoms varies from individual to individual. symptoms. What all stages have in common is the progressive inclination of the big toe towards the other toes and the associated bulging of the metatarsophalangeal joint on the inside of the foot.

In addition, connective tissue weakness occurs much more frequently in women and is therefore one of the most common causes of hallux valgus. In addition, Women's shoes are much more often narrow at the front and/or high at the back They are cut. This means they place a higher load on the toes and the entire forefoot. This is why women are more likely to suffer from hallux valgus than men.