- Call us
- 08.00 – 10.00
- Hitta hitt
- Personal
We at Huddinge Orthopedics offer you security, quality and care at all levels. With you and your needs as a starting point, we tailor care programs and offer you knowledge and experience through our specialists and our healthcare staff.
Hallux Valgus is a foot condition where the big toe is angled in, and sometimes over, the other toes. Over time, a bump can also form on the outside of the big toe and cause chafing there. The basic problem is a weakening of the ligament apparatus of the forefoot, which causes the foot to become wider. The cause is unknown and the underlying problem cannot be prevented, but the symptoms can be treated and alleviated.
The diagnosis of Hallux Valgus is made during an examination by your doctor. Typical symptoms are a crooked big toe and a sore lump on the inside of the foot. A regular X-ray of the skeletal parts of the foot is also included in the investigation.
The most important treatment is wide shoes that accommodate the broad foot. It also includes trying insoles, as this can compensate for the weak arch and make the foot fit better in the shoe. If this is not enough, surgery may be necessary.
There are many different methods of surgery for Hallux Valgus, but basically all of them involve sawing off the bone in the big toe and making a re-angulation. Sometimes a pin or screw is required to hold the leg in place. The operation is performed under local anesthesia or so-called ankle block, where only the foot is anaesthetized.
A bandage that prevents bleeding is applied. The big toe is taped at the right angle and a plaster splint is often placed. Normally, weight bearing is allowed on the heel immediately after surgery. Full weight bearing is only possible after about six weeks, depending on the surgical method. If there is a pin in the leg, this should normally be removed at the reception after a few weeks.
As the surgical method involves sawing off the bone in the big toe, it is associated with some pain after the operation. In addition to Panodil/Alvedon, a stronger pain-relieving tablet is often needed at first. This will be prescribed by your operating doctor at Huddinge Orthopedics.
Keep the inner dressing and cast until the return visit. Should you in any way feel an infection in the wound or it feels as if the dressing is too tight, this should be checked by your doctor. If the dressing gets wet or bleeds through, it must be changed with us or at your healthcare centre. Bleeding dressings increase the risk of infection.
You may shower if you can do so without the dressing/plaster getting wet. A plastic bag with a rubber band can be a good protection for the bandage.
Infection can occur after any surgery, but is rare. Typical signs of infection are redness, swelling and warmth around the surgical site, and possibly fever.
Happens after 2-3 weeks with us at Huddinge Orthopedics.
Normally you get a straighter big toe. You also get rid of your sore tubercle and get a slimmer front foot.
In normal cases, you can resume work after 3-6 weeks, depending on the job. If you have heavy work with a lot of walking, it often takes longer. You should not put full weight on the foot for the first 6 weeks.
Ingrown toenails are caused by many interacting factors. Pressure from shoes and sharp nail edges can damage the skin, and the skin around the nail becomes swollen and infected.
It is important that the toenails are not cut too short and not cut down at the corners as this aggravates the condition. It is best to use straight nail scissors or nail pliers that do not damage and irritate the edge.
In case of pain and infection, bathing the area with water and, if possible, pushing a small piece of compress or cotton under the nail to relieve the pressure can help.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia. Read the material you receive about anesthesia.
It is important that the foot is as clean as possible. Therefore, the night before the operation, you should bathe your foot in soapy water for about 10 minutes. If you have inflammation at the nail or a wound on the foot to be operated on, please contact us no later than 2 days before the operation.
Before the operation, you will receive pain-relieving medication for preventive purposes. You will also talk to the doctor who will operate on you. During the operation, 2-3 mm of the nail on the inflamed side (possibly on both sides) is removed together with the swollen skin around the nail. The wound is sewn together with nylon thread and covered with a large absorbent dressing. In some cases, antibiotics are given after the operation.
Frequently asked questions about Nageltrång can now be found here below.
You can usually go home 1-2 hours after the operation.
You cannot drive yourself or take public transport home, but need to be driven by a relative.
We recommend that you keep still and keep your foot elevated to reduce bleeding and swelling.
During the operation, a large, padded bandage is applied. It should be kept on for 48 hours after surgery. After that, you remove the bandage and shower the toe daily with clean water. The toe is bathed dry with a clean towel or allowed to air dry, and then re-applied with the dressing you brought with you (Mepitel wound protection and plaster). When it stops coming from the toe, a regular plaster is used until the wound has healed. If the dressing bleeds through, it must be changed. Bleeding dressings increase the risk of infection.
After 2 days, you may take off the bandage/plaster and shower. Until the wound is completely dry (approx. 14 days), you should avoid tubs, swimming pools and the like, as this increases the risk of infection.
After the operation, pain may occur. You must have bought Alvedon, Panodil or the equivalent yourself. We recommend that you take Paracetamol (Alvedon, Panodil or similar) and the anti-inflammatory medicine that you have been given. These tablets provide optimal pain treatment, better wound healing and reduce irritation in the surgical wound. If necessary, you will also receive OxyNorm or OxyContin (a synthetic morphine). You will be given a schedule showing how to take your pain medication.
The stitches must be removed at Huddinge Orthopedics/your health center after 12-14 days.
You can usually resume your work after a few days if you have the opportunity to have your foot in a high position a few times during the day.
In some cases, a small nail stump may grow out at the nail bed. If it is in the way, it is removed by surgery. Infection can occur after any surgery, but is rare.
If you have problems with:
- should you contact us at Huddinge Orthopedics or your health centre, should you not be able to get in touch with us, you can contact the nearest emergency department.
We hope you recover soon!