Is hallux valgus hereditary?

I believe that most people have never encountered the condition of hallux valgus, because most people's toes and fingers are on the normal horizontal line, and will not have hallux valgus or other conditions. In fact, whether hallux valgus is hereditary depends on one's own condition. Hallux valgus may cause many problems, including many complications.

What is hallux valgus?

Hallux valgus is one of the most common foot diseases and the most common disease of the big toe. Hallux valgus is a medical term, and there are also other terms such as "hallus valgus" and "big foot bone". In English, bunion also refers to hallux valgus, specifically the protrusion on the inner side of the foot when hallux valgus occurs. Hallux valgus is defined as an outward deviation of the big toe with the proximal phalanx of the big toe making an angle greater than 15° with the first metatarsal bone.

The degree of hallux valgus can be roughly understood by referring to the self-test chart: A is normal, the hallux valgus angle in Figure B is about 15°, and the hallux valgus angles in C, D, and E increase by 15°.

What problems does hallux valgus cause?

The most common problems caused by hallux valgus are foot pain and restrictions on wearing shoes. Depending on the severity of hallux valgus and the medical history, lateral toe deformity, metatarsalgia, painful calluses, and in severe cases, osteoarthritis may occur, causing joint damage. The sources of pain are mostly the joint capsule of the big toe, the painful callus under the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, the callus on the dorsal side of the 2nd and 3rd toes, the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint or the corns between the toes. The causes of these pains are all related to the changes in foot biomechanics after hallux deviation.

Many people with hallux valgus find it difficult to buy shoes because the more fashionable shoes now have narrow toe caps. Often only sneakers are allowed. If hallux valgus causes deformity of the outer toes, the difficulty in wearing shoes will be more prominent. In severe cases, the toes will straddle each other, calluses will appear on the back of the toes, and walking will cause severe foot pain.