Hallux valgus – symptoms of the deformity

Initially, the deformity progresses with little pain and symptoms are episodic. Over time, chronic local inflammation causes pain to occur more often and become more severe. Increased warmth, burning, redness and swelling develop on the outer side of the big-toe metatarsophalangeal joint. High-heeled shoes with narrow toe boxes increase symptoms by pressing on and continually irritating the painful area.

In advanced stages, the forefoot widens and further deformities may appear, such as hammer toes, claw toes, bunionette or metatarsalgia (pain on the sole). As the deformity progresses, the way of walking may change and pain may also affect other joints, such as the knees and the lumbar spine.