Hallux Valgus and Bunion

If someone complains about his or her big toe pointing inward and being painful, he or she may be suffering from hallux valgus and bunion. Hallux valgus and bunion can be seen in the public at large; however, dancers generally develop this condition at a younger than typical age. This injury usually has a gradual onset and is often associated with other postural and or biomechanical faults involving other joints (most often a tendency to pronate, or roll-in, during turned-out positions). It is characterized by medial movement of the first metatarsal head (big toe), where a bunion bump will gradually form. Consequently the phalanges of the great toe will shift towards the other toes.

Typically, dancers will notice pain with excessive pressure to the affected area, sometimes to the point where the slightest contact causes exquisite pain. The best course of action is to identify a hallux valgus condition as early as possible and clarify its structural and/or biomechanical causes. Conditions that are caught early on can be treated with either strengthening exercises, stretching and/or orthotic prescription. Often, a toe spacer between the first and second toes can help with alignment and prevent further progression of the injury.