High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the most reliable ways to combat the disease.
Almost every person faces diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diseases can be congenital or acquired.A possible problem in this area is hallux valgus.
This diagnosis applies to both children who have just recovered and adults.More often in women and less in men.
High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the most reliable ways to combat the disease.
What is hallux valgus?
Valgus deformity is an orthopedic disease of people of different ages and sexes.In adults, the disease appears most frequently after the age of 30.According to orthopedic doctors, the diagnosis is made in 20-65% of cases when women complain of foot pain.For men, the percentage is lower: between 5 and 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, as a result of which they change shape, acquiring a “hammer” 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 a normal state, when walking, support occurs on the first and last fingers.The second, third, fourth form an arch with its apex at the bone of the third finger.In flat feet, all the toes fall like a fan, distributing the pressure between them.Changes in anatomy often lead to impaired blood circulation in the ball of the foot, leading to arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The curvature manifests itself in stages:
- At first, a feeling of discomfort arises when wearing familiar shoes.It seems that she has gotten smaller and has started to clench her fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in a store is increasingly difficult: you have to buy a larger pair to avoid the feeling of pressure.This happens due to the fact that the angle of deflection of the finger increases;
- In the evening there is pain throughout the foot.Gradually, the pain "changes" in time, appears at any time of the day and in place, "rising" to the muscles of the ankle and calf;
- the first finger deviates more and more noticeably to the side, it becomes deformed: a growth lump appears on the joint;
- other fingers are subject to deformation, a 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 arises 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 “pedus valgus”:
- muscle hypotonicity.Diagnosed in premature babies, newborns with poor health and delayed physical development.Hypotonia is one of the signs of rickets.Prolonged use of a cast can cause 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, dislocations of the foot;
- obesity.Too much weight increases pressure on the foot, especially the big 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 of the foot.The foot becomes deformed and growths appear on the bone of the first toe.Therefore, it is not recommended to use the “fork” for a long time;It should be used only on special occasions for a maximum of 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 standing up too soon, when the muscles and ligaments are not yet prepared for such high loads.You can determine the curvature by watching how the child walks.With normal development, the leg is placed on the entire foot, with pathology - only on its inner part.Incorrect development can be determined by the way the shoes are worn: they are worn out on the 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 unsteady and clumsy.Pathology appears not only externally.The child talks about pain in the ankle and back when walking and avoids active games.In the evening, your legs may swell and cramps in your calves may begin.If the symptoms are not addressed, the disease progresses and concomitant diagnoses appear: osteoarthritis, scoliosis, deformation of the knee and ankle joints.
Orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus: advantages, types.
Treatment of the disease depends on the degree of manifestation and the severity of the pain.At an advanced stage, the pathology can often only be corrected by surgery - by removing the growth on the finger.In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with exercises, 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 footwear.
- It helps properly distribute the load on the foot, which improves muscle and ligament development.The load on joints subjected to excessive stress is reduced.
- Stops the deformation of the joints.
- Evenly distributes the load throughout the musculoskeletal system.
- A correct and beautiful gait and posture is 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.The use of special therapeutic boots is prescribed for preventive purposes 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 objective is to maintain the correct position of the leg, avoiding curvature of the foot.
Those times when orthopedic shoes attracted attention for their ugly appearance are a thing of the past.Today they 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 footwear: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.Healing versions look very beautiful, outwardly they do not differ from normal couples.
When developing orthopedic pads, not only the degree and form of the disease, but also the sex and age of the patient are taken into account.In men, women and children, the disease progresses differently;To correct the deformity you have to pay attention to different points.
Orthopedic shoes for men.
In men, hallux valgus is rare.But the disease still occurs in them and becomes a consequence of various concomitant diseases.The doctor may recommend the use of therapeutic footwear if there is a risk of developing said 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 not an 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.It is then 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, from which the parts for the future pair are cut.The process is complex and expensive, so the price of such a 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 stilettos all day long and take them off only at night.The forefoot and big toe are constantly under tension and support the entire weight of the body.The narrow toes of the shoes do not help the situation either.The finger is constantly squeezed, blood circulation is disturbed, which also causes diseases.As the years go by, the foot becomes deformed, pain appears in the fingers and ankle.You have to give up your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But a normal last cannot cope with the situation: the feeling of discomfort when walking does not go away.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 stores and online catalogs you can find orthopedic boots, shoes, boots, open summer sandals of different colors, styles, made of natural, artificial, suede, nubuck leather.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 straps or multi-level closures.
Orthopedic shoes for children.
The pediatrician prescribes the use of therapeutic boots to children both when a curvature has already been identified and for preventive purposes.There are two types of children's models:
- low complexity.They have insertion elements (templates, booties), the task of which is to correct the violation.For convenience, these elements can be sewn onto the model;
- complex.The boots are made to order, based on a model of the foot made after taking measurements.
To prevent curvature, pediatricians recommend using therapeutic footwear from early childhood.Parents should exclude flat-soled slippers, sandals, and sneakers without arch support.
What to look for when choosing shoes.
The orthopedic pair is chosen personally, since each leg has its own characteristics.When worn, shoes “adjust” 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 take into account:
- quality of materials.Pairs for the boy are made of natural materials.They allow air to pass through well, allowing the foot to “breathe”;
- quality of construction.Carefully inspect the boot, the quality of the seams, the inner surface;There can be no protruding seams, all elements are carefully sewn.This will prevent the appearance of chafing during use;
- Compliance with the anatomy of the leg.The recommendation of a doctor will help, who will tell you what details you should pay attention to;
- True to size.You shouldn't buy sneakers to help your baby grow, which is what many parents do, given how quickly children's feet grow.In shoes that are too big, you will find it uncomfortable to walk, your gait will become unsteady and shuffling.The habit of shuffling will remain even after the foot "grows" into a shoe.A shoe that is too small will put pressure on the foot, causing it to arch even more.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 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 footwear.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 last is comfortable and holds the foot well in the correct position.To do this, a comfortable instep support, side boots and a high hard heel are sewn into children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, Velcro and multi-level fasteners.
When purchasing shoes for an adult, also make sure they fit well.Those that are too tight will compress the foot and those that are too loose will not prevent further deformation.Shoes should fit not only in length, but also in width.The right pair adapts well to the foot, but does not put pressure on it.Pay attention to the background: it should be dense and high.Otherwise, the shoes will not hold the foot properly in the correct position.The weight of the couple is of great importance.Shoes that are too heavy will cause tired feet.
Often, orthopedic shoes are made by craftsmen in salons according to personal measurements.There are manufacturers who mass produce these types of samples.