Hallux Valgus correctors; Halluxsan pain update:

A while back we published a blog on the current thinking regarding the use of hallux valgus correctors.

In a nutshell we noted that the joint will never be restored to good alignment and the very use of ‘corrector’ in the title was spurious. We also saw that a hallux valgus corrector in conjunction with a functional foot orthosis can have a good outcome in the early subtle deviations, with patients reporting a reduction in pain.

Surgery was often indicated for those moderate to severe cases with minimally invasive techniques requiring minor bony augmentation sparing soft tissues, with an evolving method of managing the soft tissue with a corrector pre-surgery to prepare soft tissue and post-operatively to maintain alignment until healing was complete.

More recently C. Plaass et al undertook a randomised study that has largely reaffirmed the previous blog and of note the HAV corrector was in fact the dynamic Halluxsan.

As in every study published except one, no significant difference in the radiologic HAV parameters were found in patients after using the Halluxsan brace, whilst others simply do not correct HAV. So, I think we can now confidently put this to bed.

This study showed a reduction in pain during activity in patients with symptomatic HAV when wearing a dynamic HAV splint, however pain scores at rest and while starting walking showed no significant difference.

Now the most pleasing news is that the main significant findings where that a notable difference was found regarding pain during walking and running, with an even stronger trend regarding the pain subscale of the FAOS score. For our patients the FAOS is a great indicator of quality of life and that is what should matter to our end users.

Together with the reduced pain score, the alteration of the periarticular soft-tissue alignment and improved articular congruence appear to be influencing pain.

We are now even more confident in advocating the use of the unique dynamic Halluxsan as a suitable treatment for symptomatic painful HAV for those wishing to walk and run. For more info on the Halluxsan refer to the previous blog post.

C. Plaass, et al., Short term results of dynamic splinting for hallux valgus — A prospective randomised study, Foot and Ankle Surgery (2019).