Incidence and Progression of Hallux Valgus: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective Hallux valgus is a common and disabling condition. The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with hallux valgus incidence and progression. Methods Participants were from a population-based prospective cohort study, the Clinical Assessment Study of the Foot. All adults ages >= 50 years who were registered at 4 general practices in North Staffordshire, UK, were invited to take part in a postal survey at baseline and at 7-year follow-up, which included health questionnaires and self-assessment of hallux valgus using line drawings. Results Complete baseline and follow-up data were available for 1,482 participants (739 women and 743 men, mean +/- SD age 62.9 +/- 8.1 years), of whom 450 (30.4%) had hallux valgus in at least 1 foot at baseline. Incident hallux valgus was identified in 207 (20.1%) participants (349 [15.4%] feet) and was associated with baseline age, poorer physical health, foot pain, and wearing shoes with a very narrow toe-box shape between the ages of 20 and 29 years. Hallux valgus progression was identified in 497 (33.6%) participants (719 [24.3%] feet) but was not associated with any baseline factors. Conclusion Incident hallux valgus develops in 1 in 5 adults ages >= 50 years over a 7-year period and is related to age, poorer physical health, foot pain, and previous use of constrictive footwear. Progression occurs in 1 in 3 adults. These findings suggest that changes in first metatarsophalangeal joint alignment may still occur beyond the age of 50 years.