This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Aetiology of hallux valgus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Aetiology of hallux valgus (HV) is complex and multi-factorial:

  • footwear - exacerbating factor; may enhance the progression of the deformity
    • HV occurs in unshod communities as well as shoe wearing ones. However evidence from one study in China revealed that HV was 70 times more common among shoe-wearers than unshod members of the community
  • familial incidence - this ranges from 65-85%
    • appears to be an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance - this means that successive generations won't always have the deformity
    • generalised joint laxity is more common in patients with HV e.g. Marfan's syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may cause joint laxity and also have in marked HV
  • in the elderly there may be weak intrinsic muscles of the foot which results in a 'splay foot' type deformity and possible HV; this may also occur in rheumatoid disease

Reference:

  1. Pulse 2004; 64(34):43.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.