Khaberni - Dr. Alisher Zuhairov, an orthopedic surgeon, points out that although a small bone in the big toe (the thumb of the foot) might be bothersome due to its appearance, it generally appears harmless to many.
The expert asserts that the belief that joint swelling in the foot, especially in the area of the big toe, is merely a superficial or cosmetic condition is a misconception. The appearance of this bump is linked to several factors, primarily genetic predisposition, alongside flat feet and weak ligaments, which gradually alter the shape of the front of the foot.
Among other contributing factors to the joint swelling are wearing inappropriate footwear, repeated foot stress, old injuries, weight gain, and the nature of one's profession.
The doctor indicates that women are more susceptible to deformities in the big toe, due to wearing high heels (more than 4 cm) or shoes that are tight at the front. These types of shoes disrupt the biomechanics of walking and weight distribution, which eventually leads to the big toe deviating towards the other toes and the bump becoming prominent.
This problem is not limited to high heel enthusiasts only, it also affects dancers and ballet dancers and others whose professions require continual foot strain. The swelling can also develop at the site of an old fracture in the metatarsal bones or as a result of chronic joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, which weaken the bones and ligaments over time.
The expert adds that the swelling not only affects the aesthetic appearance of the foot but also causes chronic pain and difficulty walking, making finding comfortable footwear a complicated issue.
While self-treatment attempts or relying solely on orthopedic shoes do not solve the problem, they only delay its exacerbation. As the condition progresses, the pain increases and limping occurs, leaving the patient no choice but to undergo surgical intervention as an effective treatment option.
