Hallux Abducto Valgus, commonly referred to as a ‘bunion’, is caused by 2 contributing factors:


    

  1. A short 1st metatarsal and
    2. 


  2. Excessive pronation.
    3. 



A short 1st metatarsal will adduct and drop to meet the ground during the toe-off phase of gait.  Excessive pronation causes excessive forces to be applied to the forefoot, with increased load on the 1st metatarsal head in an adductory direction – hence the term ‘Hallux Abducto Valgus’.

ICB Orthotics should be prescribed to treat primary and secondary stage bunions, to realign and control pronation, thus relieving pressure from the 1st Metatarsal Phalangeal Joint.  Surgery may be required for tertiary stage bunions, to enable the patient to wear shoes.  However, post-operative prescription of ICB Orthotics is required to treat the underlying biomechanical anomaly, and prevent the condition from recurring.