Whats hallux valgus?

Bunion: Hallux valgus is the medical term for a bunion. Hallux means big toe or great toe. Valgus means bent out and is used to describe a deformity in which the angulation is away from the midline of the body. Hallux valgus is when the great toe is bent out away from the midline of the body. This is a common deformity seen in 9 out of 10 women.

Misalignment: A hallux is a big toe. Valgus is a position, technically an everted position of the big toe. The term hallux valgus is often used as a synonym with a bunion though technically not correct. A bunion is simply a bump at the side of the metatarsal head.

Big toe angulation: Hallux valgus is a progressive disorder that is often described as a deviation of the big toe creating a “bump” on the side of the big toe joint which may become painful. The visible bump actually reflects changes in the framework of that joint and possibly adjacent joints. In later stages, the big toe may lean towards the second toe which throws the bones out of alignment – producing the bunion’s “bump” which may lead to pain.