Wrong shoes as a cause of hallux valgus

Of course, there is no such thing as the wrong shoe that will always make your feet sick. However, certain types of shoes are not good for foot health, which is why you should not wear them or at least only wear them in moderation.

• Pointed shoes: Some stylish shoes are pointed at the front. Many people like this shape, but it doesn't give the toes enough room for a healthy foot position. Often there isn't enough room either to the side or upwards, and the toes press against each other and against the inside of the shoe. This also affects the bones, tendons and tissue of the foot and ultimately pushes the big toes towards the smaller toes. The big toes can reach an angle of up to 30 degrees and significant pain can be felt. Sometimes a tingling sensation also occurs on the inside of the big toe.

• High heel: Pumps and high heels can also cause hallux valgus. A heel of just 3 cm or more causes the pressure to shift to the forefoot when standing and walking. This increased strain promotes the development of a splay foot, which in turn can cause hallux valgus. In addition, the unfavorable foot position pushes the foot forward, which particularly affects the toes.

• Shoes too small: Shoes that are too small and perhaps made of a material that is difficult to give way will force the entire foot into an unfavourable and uncomfortable shape. This naturally also affects the toes, which are the easiest to deform when subjected to long-term pressure.

A small heel of up to 3-4 cm in normal shoes is not a problem. On the contrary: if you have back problems, a flat sole is not recommended - a small heel or no heel at all is better.