High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to combat the disease.
Almost every person is confronted with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diseases can be congenital or acquired.A possible problem in this area is hallux valgus.
This diagnosis is given to both children who have just gotten back on their feet and adults.More common in women, less common in men.
High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to combat the disease.
What is Hallux Valgus?
Valgus deformity is an orthopedic disease affecting people of different ages and genders.In adults, the disease most commonly occurs after the age of 30.According to orthopedists, the diagnosis is made in 20-65% of cases when women complain of foot pain.In men the percentage is lower – 5-15%.The disease is progressive.
When the disease occurs, the anatomy of the foot changes - a bump appears on the first toe and the toe deviates from its normal position.Pressure is applied to the adjacent fingers, causing them to change shape and give them 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 normal conditions, when walking, support occurs on the first and last toes.The second, third and fourth form an arch, the tip of which rests on the bone of the third finger.With flat feet, all of the toes fall down in a fan shape, distributing the pressure among each other.Anatomical changes often lead to impaired circulation in the forefoot area, leading to arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The curvature manifests itself gradually:
- Wearing familiar shoes initially creates discomfort.It seems that she has become smaller and has started to squeeze her fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in the store is becoming more and more difficult - you have to buy a pair larger to avoid the feeling of pressure.This happens due to the fact that the deflection angle of the finger increases;
- In the evening there is pain all over the foot.Gradually, the pain “shifts” over time, occurs at any time of day and in any location, and “rises” to the ankle and calf muscles;
- the index finger deviates more and more clearly to the side and becomes deformed - a growth bump appears on the joint;
- other fingers are subject to deformation, a transverse flat foot is formed;
- The curvature is visible to the naked eye; constant pain occurs when walking.
The disease can be congenital or acquired.Congenital pathologies arise 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 why an acquired “valgus foot” develops:
- Hypotonia.Diagnosed in premature babies and newborns with poor health and delayed physical development.Hypotension is one of the signs of rickets.Long-term wearing of a cast can cause hypotension;
- Maldevelopment of ligaments, muscles, tendons, other diseases of the musculoskeletal system (e.g. osteoporosis);
- some diseases - cerebral palsy, polio, dysplasia;
- Injuries – fractures, sprains, foot dislocations;
- Obesity.Too much weight increases pressure on the foot, especially the first toe, causing flat feet;
- wrong shoes.The reason for the more frequent manifestation of the disease in women is narrow shoes with high heels.With these “pumps” the body weight rests on the front of the foot.The foot becomes deformed and growths form on the bone of the first toe.Therefore, it is not recommended to wear the “hairpin” for a long period of time;It should only be worn on special occasions for a maximum of 2 hours.For everyday wear, it is better to choose comfortable shoes with a low, stable heel.
One of the most common causes of misalignment in children is getting 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 child walks.With normal development, the leg lies on the entire foot, with pathology only on the inside.An undesirable development can be determined by the way the shoes are worn - they are worn out from the 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 unsteady and awkward.Pathology does not only appear externally.The child talks about pain in the ankle and back while walking and avoids active games.Towards the evening, your legs may swell and you may experience cramps in your calves.If the symptoms are left unattended, the disease progresses and accompanying diagnoses appear - arthrosis, scoliosis, deformity 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 the advanced stage, the pathology can often only be corrected through surgery - the removal of the growth on the finger.In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with exercise therapy, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medications.Painkillers are prescribed to relieve pain.
An important part of treating hallux valgus is wearing orthopedic shoes.
- It helps to properly distribute the load on the foot, which improves the development of muscles and ligaments.The strain on overloaded joints is reduced.
- Stops joint deformations.
- Distributes the load evenly across the entire musculoskeletal system.
- Correct, beautiful gait and posture are created.
If hallux valgus is diagnosed, orthopedic shoes are not a panacea that solves all problems.But it is an important part of an integrated treatment approach that relieves symptoms and prevents disease progression.As a preventative measure, wearing special therapeutic boots is required to prevent the disease from recurring after a successful operation.
Orthopedic shoes are selected depending on the type and degree of development of the deformity.Its main purpose is to maintain the correct position of the leg and prevent curvature of the foot.
The days when orthopedic shoes attracted attention due to their ugly appearance are a thing of the past.Today, these are not only comfortable but also visually appealing.Stores offer options for different seasons – summer, winter, mid-season.Manufacturers produce all types of orthopedic shoes: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.The healing versions look very beautiful and outwardly do not differ from ordinary pairs.
When developing orthopedic documents, not only the degree and form of the disease, but also the gender and age of the patient are taken into account.The disease progresses differently in men, women and children;In order to correct the misalignment, you have to pay attention to various points.
Orthopedic shoes for men
Hallux valgus is rare in men.But the disease still occurs in them and becomes a consequence of various concomitant diseases.The doctor may recommend wearing therapeutic shoes if there is a risk of such a deformity to prevent curvature.Inflammatory processes in the ligaments often occur, especially with diagnoses such as obesity and flat feet.
Finding the right pair of boots is no easy task.They should fit well on the foot, not cause discomfort and provide good support for the arch and ankle.Sometimes you can't find the right pair in the store.Then it is made to order.To do this, they make an impression of the leg, first making a three-dimensional plaster model for the last, then the last itself, from which the parts for the future pair are cut out.The process is complex and expensive, so the price of such a sample is quite high.
Orthopedic shoes for women
Such a curvature is many times more common in women.One of the reasons is the habit of constantly wearing high-heeled shoes.Some women wear their favorite stiletto heels all day and only take them off in the evening.The forefoot and first toe are constantly stressed and bear the entire body weight.Even the narrow toes of the shoes don't improve the situation.The finger is constantly squeezed, its blood circulation is disrupted, which also leads to disease.Over the years, the foot becomes deformed and pain occurs in the fingers and ankle.You have to give up your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But a normal last is no match for the situation - the discomfort when walking does not go away.Therapeutic shoes help distribute the load evenly and stop the progression of the disease.
The range of drug samples for women is wide-ranging.In stores and online catalogs there are orthopedic boots, shoes, boots and open summer sandals of various colors and styles made of natural, artificial leather, suede and nubuck.The sole is a wedge heel or a small heel (maximum 5 centimeters).The different leg widths are taken into account - many models can be adjusted in width using straps or step fasteners.
Orthopedic shoes for children
The pediatrician prescribes children to wear therapeutic boots both when the curvature has already been identified and for prevention.There are two types of children's models:
- low complexity.They have insole elements (insoles, ankle boots), whose task is to correct the violation.For convenience, these elements can be sewn into the model;
- Complex.Boots are made to order based on a custom-made impression of the foot.
To prevent curvature, pediatricians recommend wearing therapeutic shoes in early childhood.Parents should exclude slippers, sandals, and flat-soled sneakers without arch support.
What you should pay attention to when choosing shoes
Choosing an orthopedic pair is personal, as each leg has its own characteristics.When worn, shoes “adjust” to the shape of the foot.Parents must remember: a child should not wear shoes after older children, otherwise his foot will develop the same pathologies as his.
When choosing a treatment option for children, the following should be taken into account:
- Quality of materials.Pairs are made for the child from natural materials.They allow air to pass through well so that the foot can “breathe”;
- Quality of tailoring.Carefully check the boot, the quality of the seams and the inner surface - there should be no protruding seams, all elements are neatly stitched.This prevents chafing when worn;
- Compliance with the anatomy of the leg.It is helpful to have a recommendation from a doctor who will tell you what details you need to pay attention to;
- according to size.You shouldn't buy sneakers for your baby to grow into, which many parents do considering how quickly children's feet grow.Walking in shoes that are too big becomes uncomfortable for him and his gait becomes unsteady and unsteady.The habit of shuffling your feet persists even when the foot “grows” with the shoe.A shoe that is too small puts pressure on the foot and causes even more deflection.Shoes for your baby must be selected exactly in size.
Pay attention to every element of the couple.Inside the shoe there is a dense, wrinkle-free 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 rolling elements.Particular attention should be paid to winter shoes.Make sure that the sole is made of frost-resistant materials and does not slip.
The boots are specially designed for children with deformed feet.The last is comfortable and supports the foot well in the correct position.For this purpose, a comfortable instep support, side boots and a high hard heel are sewn into children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, Velcro and multi-stage fasteners.
When buying shoes for adults, also make sure they fit properly.Shoes that are too tight compress the foot; shoes that are too loose do not prevent further deformation.Shoes must fit not only in length but also in width.The right pair fits the foot well but does not put pressure on it.Pay attention to the background - it should be dense and high.Otherwise, the shoes will not be able to support the foot in the correct position.The weight of the couple is of great importance.Shoes that are too heavy lead to tired feet.
Orthopedic shoes are often made to personal measurements by craftsmen in salons.There are manufacturers who mass produce such patterns.