What is hallux valgus?

It is a deformity of the big toe, the hallux, at the metatarsophalangeal joint.

The metatarsal (the long bone) moves inwards in the foot, while the phalanx tilts outwards (valgus). The head of the metatarsal protrudes under the skin. With footwear, excessive friction occurs on this “bump” which can become inflammatory (red), causing pain even without wearing shoes, and even at rest. This is bursitis, often called “bunion” by patients.

Beyond the aesthetic inconvenience, it is this pain that leads to a consultation for the first time.

There are 3 types of foot depending on the length of the big toe. The Egyptian foot, the most common, is the one where the big toe is the longest. The big toe is then “folded” outwards in the shoe, favouring the appearance of a hallux valgus.

The disease is predominantly female, although 5% of affected patients are male. It is partly hereditary, being favoured by certain anatomical criteria. Some congenital forms can begin very early in life.

Pointed toe shoes, which compress the toes, play a major role in the onset and especially in the aggravation of this deformity.