High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to fight this disease.
Almost everyone faces diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The disease can be congenital or acquired.One problem that can occur in this area is hallux valgus.
This diagnosis is given to both children who have just learned to stand and adults.More often for women, less often for men.
High-quality orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus are one of the reliable ways to fight this disease.
What is hallux valgus?
Valgus deformity is an orthopedic disease of people of different ages and genders.In adults, the disease most often appears after age 30.According to orthopedic doctors, the diagnosis is made in 20-65% of cases where women complain of leg pain.For men, this rate is lower – 5-15%.The disease is progressing.
When the disease occurs, the anatomy of the foot changes - a tumor appears in the first toe and the toe deviates from its normal position.Pressure is applied to the adjacent fingers, as a result of which they change shape, taking on a "hammer" shape.There is a general imbalance in the function of the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the foot.Its front part expands and flat feet appear.In the normal state, when walking, the first and last toes have support.The second, third, and fourth fingers form an arc with the apex located on the third finger bone.With flat feet, all the toes fall down like a fan, distributing pressure among each other.Anatomical changes often lead to impaired blood circulation in the forefoot, causing arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Curvature manifests in each stage:
- At first, it felt uncomfortable when wearing familiar shoes.It seemed like she had become smaller and started to clench her fingers.Choosing comfortable shoes in the store is becoming increasingly difficult - you have to buy a pair in a larger size to avoid feeling pressured.This occurs because the angle of deviation of the finger increases;
- By evening, my legs were sore.Gradually, the pain "shifts" over time, appearing at any time of the day and in place, "up" to the ankle and calf muscles;
- the first finger increasingly deviates significantly to one side, is deformed - swelling appears on the joint;
- Other fingers may be deformed, flat feet develop;
- The curvature can be seen with the naked eye, and when walking often there is a feeling of pain.
The disease can be congenital or acquired.Congenital pathology occurs due to disorders in the formation of the bones of the foot and their position during intrauterine development.Congenital diseases manifest in the first few months after birth.
There are several reasons for the development of acquired "valgus feet":
- hypotension.Diagnosed in premature babies, infants with poor health and slow physical development.Hypotension is one of the signs of rickets.Long-term use of a cast can lead to hypotension;
- Improper development of ligaments, muscles, tendons and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system (for example, osteoporosis);
- certain diseases - cerebral palsy, polio, dysplasia;
- injuries – fractures, sprains, dislocations of the foot;
- obesity.Too much weight increases pressure on the feet, especially the big toe, leading to flat feet;
- wrong shoes.The reason why the disease manifests itself more often in women is due to wearing narrow-toed high heels.In these “pumps,” the body weight is placed on the front of the feet.The foot is deformed and tumors appear on the big toe bone.Therefore, "hairpins" should not be worn for a long time;it should only be worn on special occasions for a maximum of 2 hours.For everyday wear, it is better to choose comfortable shoes, with a low and stable heel.
One of the common causes of deformities in children is standing too early, when the muscles and ligaments are not ready for such high loads.You can determine curvature by observing how your child walks.With normal development, the leg is located on the entire foot, with pathology - only on its inner part.Incorrect development can be determined by the way shoes are worn - they wear out on the 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. gait becomes uncertain and awkward.Pathology does not only appear on the outside.Children report pain in their ankles and back when walking and avoid active games.By evening, your legs may swell and you may start to experience calf cramps.If symptoms are not treated, the disease progresses and concomitant diagnoses appear - osteoarthritis, scoliosis, deformities of the knee and ankle joints.
Orthopedic shoes for hallux valgus: advantages, types
Treatment depends on the degree of manifestation and severity of the pain.In its late stages, the pathology can often only be corrected with surgery - removing the tumor on the finger.In its early stages, the disease can be successfully treated with exercise therapy, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications.Pain relievers are prescribed to relieve pain.
An important part of treating hallux valgus is wearing orthopedic shoes.
- It helps to properly distribute the load on the foot, which improves the development of muscles and ligaments.The load on joints subjected to excessive pressure will be reduced.
- Stop joint deformity.
- Evenly distributes the load throughout the musculoskeletal system.
- Correct and beautiful gait and posture are formed.
If hallux valgus is diagnosed, orthopedic shoes are not a panacea to solve all problems.But it is an important part of an integrated treatment approach, relieving symptoms and preventing progression of the disease.Wear special therapeutic shoes prescribed for preventive purposes to prevent recurrence after successful surgery.
Orthopedic shoes are selected depending on the type and degree of development of the deformity.Its main purpose is to maintain the correct posture of the legs, preventing arching of the feet.
The days when orthopedic shoes attracted attention because of their ugly appearance are a thing of the past.Nowadays, these things are not only comfortable but also have an attractive appearance.Stores have options for different seasons - summer, winter, demi season.Manufacturers produce all styles of orthopedic shoes: boots, shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers.The healing versions look very nice, outwardly no different from regular pairs.
During the development of orthopedic inserts, not only the degree and form of the disease, but also the patient's gender and age are taken into account.In men, women and children, the disease progresses differently;To correct the distortion, you must pay attention to different points.
Orthopedic shoes for men
In men, hallux valgus is very rare.But this disease still occurs in them and becomes a consequence of many accompanying diseases.Your doctor may recommend wearing therapeutic shoes if you are at risk of such deformities to prevent curvature.Especially if there are diagnoses such as obesity, flat feet, inflammatory processes in the ligaments often occur.
Finding a suitable pair of shoes is not easy.They should fit the foot well, not cause discomfort, and provide good support for the arch and ankle.Sometimes you can't find the right pair in the store.It is then made to order.To do this, they took a cast leg, first made a three-dimensional plaster model of the last, then the last, from which parts for the future pair were cut out.This process is complicated and expensive, so the price of such a model is quite high.
Orthopedic shoes for women
In women, such curvature occurs many times more often.One of the reasons is the habit of regularly wearing high heels.Some women wear their favorite heels all day and only take them off at night.The forefoot and big toe are constantly under pressure, bearing the entire body weight.Narrow shoe toes also do not improve the situation.Fingers are constantly clenched and blood circulation is interrupted, which also leads to illness.Over the years, the feet become deformed, pain appears in the fingers and ankles.You have to give up your favorite shoes and switch to low heels.But one last time often cannot cope with this situation - the feeling of discomfort when walking does not go away.Therapeutic shoes help distribute the load evenly and prevent the progressive nature of the disease.
Medicine samples for women are very diverse.In online stores and catalogs there are orthopedic boots, shoes, boots, open summer sandals of various colors, styles, made of natural leather, artificial, suede, nubuck.The sole is a wedge heel or a small heel (maximum 5 cm).Different leg fullness is taken into account - many models can be adjusted in width using straps or multi-level laces.
Orthopedic shoes for children
Pediatricians prescribe therapeutic boots for children when the curvature has been identified and for preventive purposes.There are two types of children's models:
- low complexity.They have inserts (insoles, ankle boots), whose task is to correct the violation.For convenience, these elements can be sewn to the model;
- combination.Shoes are made to order, based on a foot mold made after measurement.
To prevent curvature, pediatricians recommend wearing therapeutic shoes from an early age.Parents should rule out slippers, sandals, and flat-soled sneakers without arch support.
What should you pay attention to when choosing shoes?
An orthotic pair is chosen individually because each leg has its own characteristics.When worn, the shoe "adjusts" to the shape of the foot.Parents need to remember: children should not wear shoes after older children, otherwise their feet will suffer from the same diseases as their feet.
When choosing a treatment option for children, it is important to consider:
- quality of materials.Couples are made for children from natural materials.They allow air to pass through well, helping the foot to “breathe”;
- sewing quality.Carefully inspect the boot, the quality of the stitching, the inner surface - there should be no protruding seams, all details are neatly sewn.This will prevent the appearance of scratches during wearing;
- suitable for the anatomy of the foot.The advice of a doctor will help, who will point out what details you need to pay attention to;
- True to size.You should not buy sneakers for your baby when he or she grows up, this is what many parents do because children's feet grow very quickly.With shoes that are too wide, your baby will walk uncomfortably, his gait will be wobbly and dragging.The habit of dragging your feet will persist even when your feet have "grown" into your shoes.A shoe that is too small will put pressure on the foot, causing the foot to bend even more.Baby shoes must be chosen correctly in size.
Pay attention to each element of the pair.The inside of the shoe has a thick, anti-wrinkle lining.The sole has a small heel to help position the foot properly and prevent flat feet.The sole itself is also very important.It would be better if it had rolling elements.Special attention should be paid to winter shoes.Make sure that the base is made of frost-resistant material and is non-slip.
Shoes are specially designed for children with deformed feet.Ultimately comfortable and supports the foot well in the right position.To do this, comfortable instep support, side boots and high stiff heels are sewn into children's boots.Additional support is provided by laces, Velcro and multi-level laces.
When buying shoes for adults, make sure they fit properly.Those that are too tight will compress the foot, and those that are too loose will not prevent further deformity.Shoes must fit not only in length but also in width.The pair should fit the foot well but not put pressure on the foot.Pay attention to the background - it should be dense and tall.Otherwise, the shoes will not support the foot well in the correct position.The weight of the pair is of great importance.Shoes that are too heavy will make your feet tired.
Usually, orthopedic shoes are made in the salon by craftsmen according to individual measurements.There are manufacturers that mass produce such models.