What is a Hallux Varus? Here are some facts about this condition

Hallux varus is a condition affecting the big toe. As opposed to a bunion, which causes the big toe to point inward toward the other toes, this condition causes the big toe to point away from the other toes. A patient may then have difficulty in walking and wearing shoes.

It is a condition characterized by the medial deviation of the hallux relative to the 1st metatarsal bone, most often the result of overcorrection from prior bunion surgery. 

Symptoms

The usual symptoms encountered include:

• deformity
• pain
• decreased range of motion (ROM)
• instability
• clawing of the great toe
• weakness with pushoff
• problems with shoe wear 

This condition is often asymptomatic. Also, the most common cause of pain is irritation of the deformed toe due to a poorly fitting shoe. The discomfort is primarily a result of friction from rubbing against the shoes worn, which may cause blisters to form. If there is also pressure on the toenail from a shoe, the hallux varus may be accompanied by an ingrown nail as well. In rare instances, the joint is extremely unstable and may cause the big toe to dislocate.

More frequently this deformity develops after a surgical procedure for hallux valgus because of overcorrection, excessive lateral release, over-resection of medial eminence, over-plication of the medial capsule, zero-degree or negative intermetatarsal angle, or immobilization of the toe in excessive varus after surgery. Other causes include trauma and certain systemic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment