Quality of Life Impact Related to Foot Health in a Sample of Older People with Hallux Valgus

Hallux Valgus (HV) is a highly prevalent forefoot deformity in older people associated with progressive subluxation and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and it is believed to be associated with varying degrees of HV effect on the quality of life related to foot health. The aim of this study is to compare the impact of varying degrees of HV on foot health in a sample of older people. The sample consisted of 115 participants, mean age 76.7 +/- 9.1, who attended an outpatient center where self-report data were recorded. The degree of HV deformity was determined in both feet using the Manchester Scale (MS) from stage 1 (mild) to 4 (very severe). Scores obtained on the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) were compared. This has 13 questions that assess 4 health domains of the feet, namely pain, function, general health and footwear. The stage 4 of HV shown lower scores for the footwear domain (11.23 +/- 15.6); general foot health (27.62 +/- 19.1); foot pain (44.65 +/- 24.5); foot function (53.04 +/- 27.2); vigour (42.19 +/- 16.8); social capacity (44.46 +/- 28.1); and general health (41.15 +/- 25.5) compared with stage 1 of HV (P<0.05) and there were no differences of physical activity (62.81 +/- 24.6). Often, quality of life decreases in the elderly population based in large part on their foot health. There is a progressive reduction in health in general and foot health with increasing severity of hallux valgus deformity which appears to be associated with the presence of greater degree of HV, regardless of gender.