A disease that didn't exist in the past... It developed after wearing narrow shoes like high heels

The main symptoms of hallux valgus are discomfort and pain caused by pressure from the protruding bone when wearing shoes. Sometimes, blisters or infections can develop on the protruding bone area. Because the width of the foot increases, finding suitable shoes is also difficult. When the big toe points outward and overlaps the second toe, it presses on the second toe, causing pain in the sole of the foot. If the big toe moves inward, the side of the second toe gets pressed against the shoe, resulting in pain. Additionally, movement of the big toe becomes difficult, and as a result, the weight bearing on the other toes increases when walking, leading to pain in the metatarsals of each toe, and in severe cases, stress fractures may occur.

The diagnosis of hallux valgus is made through a physical examination that includes information about pain and a review of the patient's medical history. An X-ray examination is also performed, which helps to assess the degree of deformity, and an appropriate treatment plan is determined accordingly.

Treatment for hallux valgus includes surgical and non-surgical methods. In cases of mild hallux valgus, avoiding pointed and narrow shoes and wearing wide, soft shoes can alleviate pain and eliminate causes of additional deformity, but it cannot fundamentally reverse the deformity.

Professor Park Kwang-hwan said, "When pain cannot be controlled by non-surgical methods, surgical correction is necessary, and in this case, it is important to consult with a doctor to determine the appropriate surgical method." Generally, surgical methods aim to remove hallux valgus and correct deformity through osteotomy of the big toe, as well as to balance the muscles and ligaments around the joint formed by the big toe and the metatarsal bone to prevent recurrence of the deformity. Professor Park Kwang-hwan explained, "In the past, a large incision was made followed by osteotomy, but recently, minimally invasive surgical methods have been introduced, showing clinical results comparable to traditional methods in patients with mild to moderate hallux valgus," and added, "Recently, papers have been published indicating that even in cases of severe deformity, minimally invasive surgical methods produce clinical outcomes equivalent to traditional surgeries, and long-term additional research is ongoing."