We’ve written a lot about the condition hallux valgus in the past, which is the medical term for a bunion, but we haven’t really talked about its lesser known counterpart hallux varus. Oftentimes hallux varus can develop as a result of a failed attempt to correct hallux valgus, but not always. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at hallux varus and explain how a foot specialist can help you treat the condition.
What Is Hallux Varus?
Our toes are supposed to point straight forward, but when a bunion causes problems for a big toe joint, it typically causes the big toe to start pointing in towards the rest of the toes. The joint deformity leads to the big toe joint shifting outward, causing the toe that it helps position to point inward. In a hallux varus situation, the opposite holds true. Hallux varus describes a condition where the big toe ends up pointing away from the rest of the toes. An inward shifting of the big toe joint causes the toe that it helps position to point outward.
This joint issue can develop for a few different reasons, but the most common cause is when a bunion correction operation doesn’t go as planned. If the surgeon ends up over-correcting the big toe joint, it can lead to joint shifting that causes the big toe to point outward. As you might imagine, this can make wearing shoes uncomfortable and lead to the formation of blisters or ingrown toenails depending on where pressure is placed on the toe when wearing a shoe.
Hallux varus can also develop as a result of a congenital deformity. If a person has an abnormally short or tight big toe tendon, it can cause the joint to shift into a hallux varus position. The condition can also develop following truama to the big toe joint.
Diagnosing And Treating Hallux Varus
While the condition can typically be diagnosed through a simple medical history and physical examination, your doctor will also want to get to the heart of why the issue developed in the first place. This may be rather easy if you have undergone a bunion correction surgery, but if you haven’t, your doctor will want to explore the possibility that trauma or a tendon issue is to blame, as the underlying cause will dictate treatment.
If a congenital tendon issue is to blame, your doctor will likely recommend a combination of stretching and physical therapy exercises to help reduce tendon rigidity. They may also pair these active techniques with a toe splint or corrective footwear. Oftentimes this helps to provide enough relief that surgery can be avoided.
If these methods do not provide enough relief, or your condition is the result of a failed bunionectomy, a surgical operation may be in your future. This will allow the surgeon to straighten the toe and reinforce the joint so that big toe joint shifting no longer takes place. When performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr. Silverman, this procedure has a very high success rate.
So if you are dealing with hallux varus or the more common joint issue known as a bunion, we’re here to help. Reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
