Hallux valgus is the deviation and rotation of the big toe toward the other toes. This results in a painful bone protrusion (bunion) on the inner side of the big toe. It is frequently bilateral.
The most common known cause is wearing improper footwear — pointed-toe, narrow-fit, and high-heeled shoes. It is commonly seen in women in their 40s who have worn such shoes for many years.
For patients with painful and significant hallux valgus that does not improve with shoe modifications, the permanent, definitive, and only solution is surgery. Toe spacers, night splints, and insoles can never correct the deformity.
After surgery, the hospital stay is only 1 day. The full recovery period ranges from 2 to 4 months.