High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to combat the disease.
Almost all people face 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 recovered 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 hallux valgus?
Valgus deformity is an orthopedic disease that affects people of different ages and genders.In adults, the disease appears more frequently after the age of 30.According to orthopedic doctors, the diagnosis is made in 20 to 65% of cases when women complain of pain in their feet.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 the adjacent fingers, causing them to 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 the normal state, when walking, support occurs on the first and last toes.The second, third and fourth form an arch with its apex at the third finger bone.With flat feet, all toes fall like a fan, distributing pressure between them.Changes in anatomy often lead to impaired blood circulation in the front of the foot, which causes arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The curvature manifests itself in stages:
- At first there is a feeling of discomfort when wearing familiar shoes.It seems that she has become smaller and has started to clench her fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in a store is becoming increasingly difficult - you have to buy a larger pair to avoid feeling pressured.This happens because the finger deflection angle increases;
- At night there is pain throughout the foot.Gradually, the pain “changes” in time, appearing at any time of the day, and in location, “rising” to the ankle and calf muscles;
- the first finger deviates more and more noticeably to the side, becomes deformed - a growth bulge appears on the joint;
- other fingers are subject to deformation, transverse flat foot 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 disturbances 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 “valgus foot”:
- muscular hypotonicity.Diagnosed in premature babies, newborns with health problems and delayed physical development.Hypotonia is one of the signs of rickets.Prolonged use of the plaster can lead to hypotonia;
- inadequate 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 feet;
- obesity.Too much weight increases pressure on the foot, especially the first toe, causing flat feet;
- wrong shoes.The reason for the most frequent manifestation of the disease in women is high-heeled shoes with a narrow toe.In these “pumps”, the weight of the body rests on the front part of the foot.The foot becomes deformed and lumps appear on the bone of the first toe.Therefore, it is not recommended to use the “clamp” for a long time;should only be used 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 common causes of deformity in children is standing 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 is placed on the entire foot, with pathology - only on the inner part.Incorrect development can be determined by how the shoes are worn - they are worn out 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. Gait becomes uncertain and clumsy.Pathology appears not only externally.The child talks about ankle and back pain when walking and avoids active play.At night, your legs may swell and your calves may cramp.If the symptoms are not met, 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 intensity of the pain.At an advanced stage, pathology can often only be corrected by surgery - removing the growth on the finger.In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with exercise therapy, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications.Pain relievers are prescribed to reduce pain.
An important part of hallux valgus treatment is the use of orthopedic shoes.
- It helps to properly distribute the load on the foot, which improves the development of muscles and ligaments.The load on joints subject to excessive stress is reduced.
- Prevents 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, relieving symptoms and preventing disease progression.The use of special therapeutic boots is prescribed for preventive purposes in order to prevent recurrence of the disease 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, avoiding 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.The stores have options for different seasons - summer, winter, mid-season.Manufacturers produce all styles of orthopedic shoes: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.Healing versions look very beautiful, outwardly no different from ordinary pairs.
When developing orthopedic pillows, not only the degree and form of the disease are taken into account, but also the gender and age of the patient.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 several concomitant diseases.The doctor may recommend the use of 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 in the ligaments often occur.
Finding the right pair of boots is no easy task.They should fit the foot well, not cause discomfort and provide good support for 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 mold of the leg, first make a three-dimensional plaster model for the last one, then the last one itself, from which the pieces for the future pair are cut out.The process is complex and expensive, which is why the price for this sample is quite high.
Orthopedic shoes for women
In women, this curvature occurs several times more often.One of the reasons is the habit of constantly wearing high-heeled shoes.Some women wear their favorite stiletto heels all day, only taking them off in the evening.The forefoot and first toe are constantly under stress, supporting the entire weight of the body.The narrow toe boxes of the shoes don't improve the situation either.The finger is constantly pressed, its blood circulation is disturbed, which also leads to illness.Over the years, the foot becomes deformed and pain appears in the toes and ankle.You have to give up your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But a regular last 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 online stores and catalogs you can find orthopedic boots, shoes, boots, open summer sandals of different colors, styles, made of natural, artificial leather, suede, nubuck.The sole is a wedge or small heel (maximum 5 centimeters).The different fullness of the leg is taken into account - many samples can be adjusted in width with multi-level straps or fasteners.
Orthopedic shoes for children
The pediatrician prescribes the use of therapeutic boots for children both when the curvature has already been identified, and for preventive purposes.There are two types of children's models:
- low complexity.They have insertion elements (insoles, ankle boots), the function of which is to correct the violation.For convenience, these elements can be sewn onto the model;
- complex.Boots are made to order, based on the foot model made after measurements.
To prevent curvature, pediatricians advise using therapeutic shoes from early childhood.Parents should exclude flip-flops, sandals, and flat-soled sneakers without arch support.
What to look for when choosing shoes
An orthopedic pair is chosen personally, as each leg has its own characteristics.When worn, the shoes “adjust” to the shape of the foot.Parents need to remember: a child should not wear shoes after older children, otherwise his foot will develop the same pathologies as theirs.
When choosing a treatment option for children, it is important to consider:
- quality of materials.Couples are made for the child from natural materials.They allow good air passage, allowing the foot to “breathe”;
- tailoring quality.Carefully inspect the boot, the quality of the stitching, the inner surface - there cannot be any protruding seams, all elements are well stitched.This will avoid the appearance of friction during use;
- compliance with the anatomy of the leg.A doctor's recommendation will help, which will indicate what details you need to pay attention to;
- true to size.You shouldn't buy sneakers for your growing baby, which is what many parents do, given how quickly children's feet grow.With shoes that are too large, it will be uncomfortable for him to walk, his gait will be unstable and shuffling.The habit of dragging your feet will remain even after your foot “grows” into the shoe.A shoe that is too small will put pressure on the foot, causing even more arching.Shoes for your baby must be chosen exactly to size.
Pay attention to each element of the pair.Inside the shoe there is a dense, wrinkle-resistant 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.Special 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 latter is comfortable and supports the foot well in the correct position.To do this, comfortable instep support, side boots and high, hard heels are sewn into children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, velcro and multi-level closures.
When purchasing adult shoes, 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 the foot well but does not put pressure on it.Pay attention to the backdrop - it should be dense and high.Otherwise, the shoes will not support the foot well in the correct position.The weight of the pair is of great importance.Very heavy shoes can make your feet tired.
Orthopedic shoes are often made by craftsmen in salons according to personal measurements.There are manufacturers who mass produce these samples.