High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to combat the disease.
Almost every person faces diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diseases can be congenital or acquired.A possible problem in this area is hallux valgus.
This diagnosis is given both to children who have just gotten up and to adults.More often for women, less often for men.
High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to combat the disease.
What is a hallux valgus?
Valgus deformity is an orthopedic disease of people of different ages and genders.In adults, the disease appears more often after the age of 30.According to orthopedic doctors, the diagnosis is made in 20-65% of cases when women complain of foot pain.For men, the percentage is lower: 5-15%.The disease is progressive.
When the disease occurs, the anatomy of the foot changes: a lump appears on the first toe, and the toe deviates from its normal position.Pressure is exerted on adjacent fingers, as a result of which they change shape, acquiring a “hammer-shaped” appearance.There is a general imbalance in the functions of the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foot.Its front part expands and flat feet appear.In a normal state, when walking, support occurs on the first and last toes.The second, third, fourth form an arch with the apex on the bone of the third finger.With flat feet, all the toes fall like a fan, distributing the pressure between them.Anatomical changes often lead to impaired blood circulation in the forefoot, which causes arthritis and arthrosis.
Curvature occurs in several stages:
- At first there is a feeling of discomfort when wearing familiar shoes.It seems that she has become smaller and has started to tighten her fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in a store is becoming increasingly difficult: you have to buy a pair in a larger size to avoid the feeling of pressure.This happens because the deflection angle of the finger increases;
- In the evening there is pain all over the foot.Gradually, the pain “moves” over time, appearing at any time of the day, and on the spot, “rising” to the ankle and calf muscles;
- the first finger deviates more and more to the side, is deformed - a growth bump appears on the joint;
- the other toes are subject to deformation, transverse flatfoot develops;
- the curvature is noticeable to the naked eye, constant pain appears when walking.
The disease can be congenital or acquired.Congenital pathology occurs due to disorders in the formation of the bones of the foot and their position during intrauterine development.The congenital disease manifests itself in the first months after birth.
There are several reasons for the development of acquired “foot valgus”:
- muscle hypotonicity.Diagnosed in premature infants, infants in poor health and with delayed physical development.Hypotonia is one of the signs of rickets.Prolonged use of a cast can lead to hypotonia;
- improper development of ligaments, muscles, tendons, other diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoporosis);
- some diseases: cerebral palsy, polio, dysplasia;
- injuries – fractures, sprains, dislocations of the foot;
- obesity.Excessive weight increases pressure on the foot, especially on the first toe, leading to flat feet;
- wrong shoes.The reason for the most frequent manifestation of the disease in women is shoes with high heels and narrow toes.In these "pumps" the weight of the body rests on the front part of the foot.The foot becomes deformed and growths appear on the bone of the first toe.Therefore, it is not recommended to wear the “hairpin” for a long time;it should only be worn on special occasions for a maximum of 2 hours.For everyday use it is better to choose comfortable shoes with a low and stable heel.
One of the most common causes of deformities in children is standing up too early, when the muscles and ligaments are not yet ready for such high loads.You can determine the curvature by observing how the baby walks.With normal development, the leg is placed on the entire foot, with pathology - only on its inner part.Incorrect development can be determined by the way the shoes are worn: they are worn inside.
The development of the disease is characterized by a violation of the shape of the lower leg - in the shape of the letter X. The gait becomes uncertain and awkward.Pathology appears not only externally.The child reports ankle and back pain while walking and avoids active play.In the evening the legs may swell and cramps in the calves begin.If the symptoms are left unattended, the disease progresses and concomitant diagnoses appear: arthrosis, scoliosis, deformation of the knee and ankle joints.
Orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus: advantages, types
Treatment of the disease depends on the degree of its manifestation and the severity of the pain.In an advanced stage, the pathology can often be corrected only with surgery, removing the growth on the finger.In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with physical therapy, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.Painkillers are prescribed to reduce pain.
An important part of bunion treatment is wearing orthopedic shoes.
- It helps to correctly distribute the load on the foot, improving the development of muscles and ligaments.The load on joints subjected to excessive stress is reduced.
- Stops joint deformation.
- Evenly distributes the load throughout the musculoskeletal system.
- A correct and beautiful gait and posture are formed.
If hallux valgus is diagnosed, orthopedic shoes are not a panacea that solves all problems.But it is an important part of an integrated approach to treatment, alleviating symptoms and preventing disease progression.The use of special therapeutic boots is prescribed for preventive purposes to prevent recurrence of the disease after a successful operation.
Orthopedic shoes are selected based on the type and degree of development of the deformity.Its main purpose is to maintain the correct position of the leg, preventing the curvature of the foot.
Those times when orthopedic shoes attracted attention with their ugly appearance are a thing of the past.Today these are not only comfortable but also attractive in appearance.Stores have options for different seasons: summer, winter, demi-season.Manufacturers produce all styles of orthopedic shoes: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.Healing versions look very beautiful, outwardly no different from ordinary pairs.
In the development of orthopedic pads, not only the degree and form of the disease, but also the gender and age of the patient are taken into account.In men, women and children the disease progresses differently;To correct the deformity you need to pay attention to several points.
Orthopedic shoes for men
In men, hallux valgus is rare.But the disease still occurs in them and becomes a consequence of various concomitant diseases.Your doctor may recommend wearing therapeutic shoes if there is a risk of developing such a deformity, to prevent curvature.Especially if there are diagnoses such as obesity, flat feet, inflammatory processes often occur in the ligaments.
Finding the right pair of boots is no easy task.They should fit the foot well, cause no discomfort, and provide good support to the arch of the foot and ankle.Sometimes you can't find the right pair in the store.So it's made to order.To do this, they take a cast of the leg, first make a three-dimensional plaster model of the last one, then the last one itself, from which the parts for the future couple are cut out.The process is complex and expensive, so the price of such a sample is quite high.
Women's orthopedic shoes
In women, such curvature occurs several times more often.One of the reasons is the habit of constantly wearing high-heeled shoes.Some women wear their favorite stilettos all day, only taking them off at night.The forefoot and first toe are constantly stressed and bear the entire body weight.Even narrow shoe tips do not improve the situation.The finger is constantly squeezed, its blood circulation is disrupted, which also leads to the disease.Over the years, the foot deforms, pain appears in the toes and ankle.You have to give up your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But the normal person is not able to cope with the situation: the feeling of discomfort when walking does not disappear.Therapeutic shoes help to evenly distribute the load and stop the progressive nature of the disease.
The range of medicinal samples for women is wide.In stores and online catalogs there are orthopedic boots, shoes, boots, open summer sandals of different colors, styles, made of natural, artificial leather, suede, nubuck.The sole is a wedge or a small heel (maximum 5 centimeters).The different fullness of the leg is taken into account: many samples can be adjusted in width with straps or multi-level closures.
Children's orthopedic shoes
The pediatrician prescribes the use of therapeutic boots for children both when a curvature has already been identified, and for preventive purposes.There are two types of children's models:
- low complexity.They have insertion elements (insoles, booties), the task of which is to correct the violation.For convenience, these elements can be sewn into the pattern;
- complex.The boots are made to order, based on the cast of the foot made after measurements.
To prevent curvature, pediatricians recommend wearing therapeutic shoes from early childhood.Parents should exclude slippers, sandals and flat-soled sneakers without arch support.
What to look for when choosing shoes
An orthopedic pair is chosen personally, since each leg has its own characteristics.Once worn, the shoes "adapt" to the shape of the foot.Parents need to remember: the child should not wear shoes after older children, otherwise his foot will develop the same pathologies as theirs.
When choosing a version of treatment for children, it is important to consider:
- quality of materials.The pairs are made for the child from natural materials.They allow good air passage, allowing the foot to "breathe";
- quality of tailoring.Carefully inspect the boot, the quality of the seams, the inner surface: there can be no protruding seams, all elements are sewn neatly.This will avoid the appearance of chafing during use;
- respect for the anatomy of the leg.The advice of a doctor will help, who will indicate what details need to pay attention to;
- true to size.You shouldn't buy sneakers for your baby to grow, as many parents do, given how quickly children's feet grow.In too large shoes, it will be uncomfortable for him to walk, his gait will become unstable and shuffling.The habit of shuffling your feet will remain even after your foot "grows out" into the shoe.A shoe that is too small will put pressure on the foot, causing it to bow even more.Shoes for your child must be chosen exactly according to size.
Pay attention to each element of the pair.Inside the shoe there is a dense, anti-wrinkle insole.The sole has a small heel that gives the foot the correct position and prevents the appearance of flat feet.The sole itself is also important.It is better if it has rotating elements.Particular attention should be paid to winter shoes.Make sure the sole is made of frost-resistant materials and does not slip.
The boots are specially designed for children with deformed feet.The shape is comfortable and supports the foot well in the correct position.To do this, a comfortable instep support, side boots and a high, rigid heel are sewn into children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, Velcro and multi-level closures.
When purchasing shoes for an adult, also make sure they fit properly.Those that are too tight will compress the foot, and those that are too loose will not prevent further deformation.Shoes must fit not only in length, but also in width.The right pair fits your foot well, but doesn't put pressure on it.Pay attention to the background - it should be dense and tall.Otherwise the shoes will not support the foot well in the correct position.The weight of the couple is of great importance.Shoes that are too heavy cause tired feet.
Often orthopedic shoes are made by craftsmen in salons on personal measurements.There are manufacturers who produce such samples en masse.