High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to combat the disease.
Almost everyone faces diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diseases can be congenital or acquired.One of the possible problems in this area is hallux valgus.
This diagnosis is made both to children who have just gotten back on their feet 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 most often appears after the age of 30.According to orthopedic doctors, the diagnosis is made in 20 to 65% of cases when women complain of foot pain.For men, the percentage is lower – 5 to 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 exerted on the adjacent fingers, as a result of which they change their shape and acquire a “hammer-like” appearance.There is a general imbalance in the functions of the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foot.Its front part enlarges and flat feet appear.In a normal state, when walking, support occurs on the first and last toes.The second, third and fourth form an arc whose apex is on the third finger bone.With flat feet, all of the toes fall into a fan shape, distributing the pressure between them.Anatomical changes often lead to impaired blood circulation in the front of the foot, causing arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The curvature manifests itself in stages:
- At first, there is a feeling of discomfort when wearing familiar shoes.It seems like she got smaller and started squeezing his fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in a store is becoming more and more difficult: you have to buy a larger size pair to avoid the feeling of pressure.This is because the angle of deviation 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 in place, “rising” to the ankle and calf muscles;
- the first finger deviates more and more noticeably to the side, becomes deformed - a growth bump appears on the joint;
- other fingers are subject to deformation, a 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 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 “foot valgus”:
- muscular hypotonia.Diagnosed in premature babies, newborns with poor health and delayed physical development.Hypotonia is one of the signs of rickets.Prolonged wearing of a cast can lead to hypotonia;
- improper development of ligaments, muscles, tendons and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoporosis);
- some diseases - cerebral palsy, polio, dysplasia;
- injuries – fractures, sprains, foot dislocations;
- obesity.Too much weight increases pressure on the foot, particularly on the first toe, leading to flat feet;
- bad shoes.The most common manifestation of the disease in women is shoes with high heels and a narrow toe.In these “push-ups”, the weight of the body rests on the front 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 up to 2 hours.For everyday wear, it is better to choose comfortable shoes with low, stable heels.
One of the common causes of deformity in children is getting up too early, when the muscles and ligaments are not yet ready to withstand such high loads.You can determine the curvature by observing the way the child walks.With normal development, the leg is placed on the entire foot, in case of pathology - only on its 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 part of the leg - in the form of the letter X. The gait becomes uncertain and clumsy.Pathology does not only appear externally.The child reports ankle and back pain when walking and avoids active play.In the evening, your legs may swell and cramps in your calves may appear.If the symptoms are left unattended, the disease progresses and concomitant diagnoses appear - osteoarthritis, 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 an advanced stage, the pathology can often only be corrected by surgery, removing the growth of the finger.In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with exercise therapy, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory medications.Painkillers are prescribed to reduce pain.
Wearing orthopedic shoes is an important part of hallux valgus treatment.
- 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.
- Stops joint deformation.
- Evenly distributes the load across the entire 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, which relieves symptoms and prevents disease progression.Wearing special therapeutic boots is prescribed as a preventive measure in order to avoid 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 objective is to maintain the correct position of the leg, avoiding curvature of the foot.
The days 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 offer options for different seasons: summer, winter, demi-season.Manufacturers produce all styles of orthopedic shoes: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.Healing versions are very beautiful, outwardly no different from ordinary pairs.
When developing 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 deformation, you have to pay attention to different points.
Orthopedic shoes for men
In men, hallux valgus is rare.But the disease always occurs there and becomes the consequence of various concomitant diseases.The doctor may recommend wearing therapeutic shoes if there is a risk of developing such a deformity, in order to avoid curvature.Especially if there are such diagnoses as obesity, flat feet, inflammatory processes in the ligaments often occur.
Finding the right pair of boots is not an easy task.They should adapt well to the foot, not cause discomfort and provide good support to 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 take a cast of the leg, first make a three-dimensional plaster model for the shape, and then the last itself, from which the parts of 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
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 and only take them off at night.The forefoot and first toe are constantly stressed and support the entire weight of the body.Narrow toe boxes don't help the situation either.The finger is constantly pressed, its blood circulation is disturbed, which also leads to diseases.Over the years, the foot becomes deformed and pain appears in the fingers and ankle.You need to ditch your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But an ordinary form 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 progression of the disease.
The range of medicinal samples intended for women is wide.In stores and online catalogs there are orthopedic boots, shoes, boots, summer open sandals of different colors, styles, made of natural, artificial leather, suede, nubuck.The sole is a wedge heel or a small heel (maximum 5 centimeters).Different leg fullnesses are taken into account - many samples can be adjusted in width with straps or tiered fasteners.
Orthopedic shoes for children
The pediatrician prescribes the wearing of therapeutic boots to children both when a curvature has already been identified and as a preventive measure.There are two types of models for children:
- low complexity.They have insert elements (insoles, ankle boots), 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, from a mold of the foot made after measurements.
To prevent curvatures, pediatricians advise 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.When worn, shoes “adapt” to the shape of the foot.Parents should remember: a 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 couples are made for the child from natural materials.They allow air to pass through well, allowing the foot to “breathe”;
- sewing quality.Carefully inspect the boot, the quality of the seams, the inner surface - there cannot be any protruding seams, all elements are neatly sewn.This will prevent the appearance of friction when wearing;
- respect for the anatomy of the leg.A doctor's recommendation will help you, who will tell you what details you need to pay attention to;
- true to size.You shouldn't buy sneakers for your baby to grow into, which many parents do, given how quickly children's feet grow.In shoes that are too big, it will be uncomfortable for him to walk, his gait will become unstable and dragging.The habit of moving the feet will persist even after the foot has “grown” into the shoe.A shoe that is too small will put pressure on the foot, causing even more curvature.Shoes for your baby should be chosen exactly in size.
Pay attention to each element of the pair.Inside the shoe is a dense, wrinkle-resistant insole.The sole has a small heel which gives the foot the right position and prevents the appearance of flat feet.The sole itself is also important.It's better if there are rolling 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 keeps the foot in the right position.To achieve this, a comfortable instep support, side boots and a high, hard heel are sewn into the children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, Velcro and tiered fasteners.
When buying shoes for an adult, also make sure they fit properly.Feet that are too tight will compress the foot, and feet that are too loose will not prevent further deformation.Shoes should 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 couple is of great importance.Shoes that are too heavy will tire your feet.
Often, orthopedic shoes are made by craftsmen in salons according to personal measurements.Some manufacturers mass produce such samples.