Hallux Valgus Quiz
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I can't bend my toes because of both pains
Swollen toe
Pain under the foot
Toe tingling
Swollen toes
Pain in my toe
Foot arch pain
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What is Hallux Valgus?
Hallux valgus, or a bunion, is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe when the big toe pushes against the next toe. Tight shoes, foot stress, and arthritis are common causes. It can lead to deformity.
Typical Symptoms of Hallux Valgus
- Pain when exerting physically e.g. climbing the stairs
- Toe pain
- Ankle pain
- Difficulty walking normally
- Pain on the top of the foot
- Primarily engaged in work that requires standing
- Swollen toes
- Pain in the sole of your foot
Diagnostic Questions for Hallux Valgus
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Does pain improve with rest but worsen with movement?
- Are you experiencing toe pain?
- Do you have ankle pain?
- Do you have difficulty walking normally?
- Do you have pain on the top of your foot?
Treatment of Hallux Valgus
Treatment includes physical therapy and exercise for joint mobility, massage, wearing a splint, or surgery.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Ankle pain
- Walking difficulties
- Pain in the toes
- My foot hurts on top
- I have pain in both ankles
- I have pain in my little toes on both feet
- Can't walk
- I have a pain in my right big toe
- Ankle tendonitis
- The instep of the left foot hurts
- My big toe hurts
- Sudden inability to walk
- My left leg joint hurts
- I have pain in my left toe
- I feel pain in my left toe joint
See full list
Symptoms Related to Hallux Valgus
Diseases Related to Hallux Valgus
FAQs
Q.
Bunion Pain? Why Your Toe Is Shifting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Bunion pain and a shifting big toe usually mean the big toe joint is drifting inward, most often due to inherited foot structure, with foot mechanics, tight or high-heeled shoes, and arthritis speeding progression. There are several factors to consider. Medically approved next steps include switching to supportive wide toe box shoes, using padding or orthotics, icing and appropriate anti inflammatory medications, and doing foot exercises while monitoring for worsening; seek a podiatry evaluation and consider surgery only if pain or deformity limits daily life, and see the complete guidance below for crucial details like diabetes risks and sudden severe pain that may need urgent care.
References:
* Ferrari J, Higgins JP, Williams RL. Hallux valgus: a review of the aetiology, pathophysiology and clinical management. J Clin Med. 2021 Apr 1;10(7):1448. doi: 10.3390/jcm10071448. PMID: 33808945; PMCID: PMC8037920.
* Nix S, Smith M, Vicenzino B. Conservative management of hallux valgus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Foot Ankle Res. 2021 Mar 25;14(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s13047-021-00465-4. PMID: 33766228; PMCID: PMC7993074.
* Gherzi M, Catanese V, D'Ambrosi R, Barbaglia T, D'Angelo A, Usuelli FG. Hallux valgus: Pathophysiology and biomechanics. EFORT Open Rev. 2023 Apr 1;8(4):212-218. doi: 10.1530/EOR-22-0164. PMID: 37101859; PMCID: PMC10123547.
* Valkering KP, Wiersma M, Kleinrensink GJ, van der Heide EP, Faber W, van der Plaat LW. Hallux Valgus: Current Concepts in Diagnosis and Treatment. EFORT Open Rev. 2017 Jan 24;2(1):36-42. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160049. PMID: 28461971; PMCID: PMC5367571.
* Niesłony A, Kusz D, Niesłony A, Słynarska G, Łobas M, Sibiński Ł. Surgical Treatment for Hallux Valgus: A Current Concept Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 1;12(3):1098. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031098. PMID: 36769677; PMCID: PMC9917544.
Q.
Is It Turf Toe? Why Your Big Toe Is Hurting and Medically-Approved Next Steps
A.
Big toe pain after push-off, sprinting, or landing may be turf toe, a hyperextension sprain of the ligaments at the base MTP joint; start with rest, ice, compression, elevation, limit upward bending with a stiff-soled shoe or boot, and progress to gentle rehab, with X-ray or MRI if severe. There are several other causes to consider, including bunion, gout, sesamoiditis, and fracture, and red flags like marked swelling or bruising, inability to bear weight, deformity, numbness, or pain lasting more than a few days warrant prompt medical care. See the complete guidance below for medically approved next steps, recovery timelines, and how to prevent reinjury.
References:
* Reuss BL, Williams B, Hayman M, et al. Turf Toe: A Clinical Review. *Cureus*. 2020 Jul 15;12(7):e9231. doi: 10.7759/cureus.9231. PMID: 32675685; PMCID: PMC7359286.
* Miller J, Niu W, Chertoff C, et al. Turf Toe: An Update on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management. *Orthop J Sports Med*. 2022 Jan 10;10(1):23259671211059486. doi: 10.1177/23259671211059486. PMID: 35048827; PMCID: PMC8755694.
* Favinger JL, Hartigan DE, Graham K, et al. Injuries to the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: From Turf Toe to Hallux Rigidus. *Curr Sports Med Rep*. 2019 May;18(5):164-169. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000595. PMID: 31057861.
* Haims AH, Mallek J, Matson J, et al. Acute Plantar Plate Injury of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: Imaging and Clinical Features. *Foot Ankle Int*. 2021 Aug;42(8):1024-1031. doi: 10.1177/10711007211006093. PMID: 33903140.
* Haddock NT, Miller DM, Cho J, et al. Turf Toe: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return to Play. *Sports Med Arthrosc*. 2022 Jun 1;30(2):77-83. doi: 10.1097/JSA.0000000000000350. PMID: 35359480.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Hecht PJ, Lin TJ. Hallux valgus. Med Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;98(2):227-32. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2013.10.007. Epub 2013 Dec 8. PMID: 24559871.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025712513001557?via%3DihubDoty JF, Harris WT. Hallux Valgus Deformity and Treatment: A Three-Dimensional Approach. Foot Ankle Clin. 2018 Jun;23(2):271-280. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2018.01.007. PMID: 29729801.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1083751518300123?via%3DihubMansur NSB, de Souza Nery CA. Hypermobility in Hallux Valgus. Foot Ankle Clin. 2020 Mar;25(1):1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.fcl.2019.10.004. Epub 2019 Nov 26. PMID: 31997738.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1083751519301160?via%3Dihub