According to results of study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Science, nonoperative treatment using foot orthoses decreased pain in patients with hallux valgus, and the effect of treatment was maintained up to 2 years with a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction.

Hallux valgus (HV) is one of a common foot deformity with a prevalence varying from 23% in the adult population to 36% in people aged 65 years or more. The current study aimed to clarify the 2-year clinical and radiological outcomes of nonoperative treatment via foot orthosis for HV patients.

Ryosuke Nakagawa et al. surveyed the patients who underwent nonoperative treatment via foot orthosis prospectively. Foot orthoses was made by a certified orthotist using a standardized method. Subjective and objective measures were used to examine pain and quality of life at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Also, the radiological outcomes, patient satisfaction, and adherence to treatment were surveyed.

The study enrolled a total of 53 patients (50 women and 3 men; median age, 63 years) for the analysis. With time, the pain visual analogue scale score significantly decreased, with the lowest score obtained at 12 months. The treatment effect was retained over 24 months. An improvement was observed in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle Scale, Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot hallux scale and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey bodily pain subscale, but the treatment effects were maximal at 6 months and decreased afterwards. At 24 months, 43 (81%) patients sustained the orthosis usage. The median visual analogue scale score for patient satisfaction was 76 points. Hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle did not alter during 24 months.