Hallux Valgus

Hallux valgus, commonly referred to as a bunion, is a prevalent foot deformity characterized by an outward deviation of the big toe at the ball of the foot. This misalignment leads to the formation of a prominent bony protrusion on the inner side of the foot, resulting in pain, discomfort, and difficulties in wearing shoes. The incidence of hallux valgus varies between 23% to 35.7% across different populations, with a higher prevalence observed in women and older adults.

At The Court Clinic, we have found that bunions and Hallux Valgus are primarily caused by excessive pressure on the big toe over long periods of time. These excessive forces can occur in sports such as dancing and running, or as a result of prolonged use of high-heeled footwear. This is typically combined with a genetic predisposition toward having more flexible joints, which makes joints more susceptible to deviation over time.

Therefore our approach to Hallux Valgus and bunions focuses, in the first instance, on the construction of suitably customised insoles to reduce pressure on the big toe. Our other treatment strategies include the creation of custom toe separators (using moulded silicone), manual therapy, home exercises, later therapy and footwear advice. We also encourage the use of bunion splints at night time to reduce the build up of inflammation.