Can hallux valgus surgery change the length of the hallux?
Many fans and friends saw the comparison chart of the case of hallux valgus correction and found that some people's hallux length has changed after surgery, and they received some questions:
Can hallux valgus change the length of the hallux?
Why do some people shorten their hallux more, while others don't shorten it significantly?
There are indeed differences in the aesthetic perception of patients with different views on foot shape and toe length after surgery. Some patients may prefer a small foot shape, while others prefer a slender foot shape.
These three foot types have no obvious advantages and disadvantages, and have little impact on the weight bearing and bounce of the foot. The length of the toes after hallux valgus does not affect the function, but is more of a personal aesthetic preference. The purpose of hallux valgus correction is not to change the length of the toes, but to restore the normal structure and function of the foot by correcting the deformity. The length of the hallux after surgery is related to the surgical design and instruments.
When the hallux becomes longer after correction
If the patient does not need an osteotomy with hallux valgus correction, only adductor release, the contracture of the adductor muscle is relieved and the hallux can move more freely, so it may appear longer visually. This is due to the original contracture that prevents the hallux from spreading sufficiently, making the patient feel that the hallux is short. In fact, it's just the stretching of the muscles that prevents the hallux from fully extending.
When the hallux becomes shorter after correction
If hallux valgus is severe and an osteotomy is required, the length of the bone may be shortened for better correction due to the contracture of the aponeurosis in most patients with hallux valgus, in order to stabilize the foot structure and restore biomechanical balance.
The fineness of the osteotomy instrument also has a great influence on the shortening of the hallux, and if the surgical instrument is rough, too much bone will be lost during the osteotomy, resulting in a significantly shorter hallux.
In the correction of hallux valgus, the length of the hallux often cannot be customized according to personal preference, in order to restore the function and health of the foot, sometimes it is necessary to shorten the hallux, if the hallux is short and the second toe is long, you can do hallux valgus correction and shorten the second toe and third toe at the same time, balance the length of the toes, and obtain the ideal foot shape.