PODIATRIC SURGERY

Hallux Valgus is characterized by the lateral deviation of the big toe, accompanied by the formation of a bunion (bony growth) at the head of the first metatarsal. The progression of the bunion can lead to new conditions in the anterior part of the foot, such as claw toes and metatarsalgia.

Implies the inclination of the fifth toe towards the inner region of the foot, accompanied by the formation of a bunion (bony growth) at the head of the fifth metatarsal. 

This causes pain on the lateral and plantar part of the foot due to pressure from footwear and walking. The definitive solution is surgical intervention, which allows the removal of the bunion and the alignment of the fifth toe.

Refers to deformities of the toes in the sagittal plane, whose causes can be diverse, such as alterations in the bone structure of the foot, the presence of bunions, the use of narrow and high-heeled footwear, among others. These deformities often cause pain and the formation of calluses in areas of friction with the shoes. 

The definitive solution for these deformities is surgical intervention. Depending on the location of the deformity in the toe and which phalanges are affected, different variations may occur, such as hammer toe, mallet toe, or claw toe.

Clinodactyly occurs when there is a deviation of the phalanges in the transverse plane. Its main causes are genetic and related to the type of footwear. 

Similar to the treatment for claw toe, the definitive solution is surgical intervention. However, in early stages, such as in childhood, the use of silicone digital orthoses along with specific dressings can be highly effective.

The heel spur is the new bone formation on the underside of the calcaneus bone, where the plantar fascia inserts. This results in pain when putting weight on the heel, especially after periods of rest. In many cases, this spur is related to plantar fasciitis.

It manifests as pain in the bottom of the metatarsals, commonly caused by alterations in their position, whether congenital or acquired. In certain instances, these changes in the arrangement of the metatarsals are linked to other conditions such as bunions, claw toes, and joint subluxations. 

The pain experienced by the patient tends to hinder normal walking, and in some cases, it can intensify due to the formation of calluses on the sole of the foot.

Digital corns are calluses between the toes caused by deformities in the bone surface. The internal pressure generated by these deformities triggers the formation of calluses and associated pain. Externally removing the callus provides temporary relief, but the cause persists internally in the bone deformity. 

The frequent use of heels and narrow-toed footwear can contribute to their development by favoring dorsiflexion of the toes and compression in the metatarsal area. The definitive solution is surgical intervention to eliminate the bone deformity, thus preventing the recurrence of the callus and pain.

Ingrown toenails occur when one of the edges of the nail exerts pressure and penetrates the soft tissue surrounding the nail. A space conflict between the nail and the surrounding tissue arises, resulting in the ingrowth of the nail. This ingrowth triggers pain, inflammation, and, in many cases, infection with the subsequent formation of pus.

The appearance of ingrown toenails can be linked to various factors such as:

• Excessive curvature of the nail present from birth.
• Improper nail trimming.
• Wearing narrow footwear.

The initial treatment for an ingrown toenail involves removing the embedded nail fragment and treating any associated infection. In cases of recurrence, the definitive approach will be surgical. This procedure involves removing the affected portion of the nail, including its corresponding portion of the nail matrix. This intervention ensures that the nail fragment causing the ingrowth does not regrow.