From: Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
Even though the scientific literature indicates that hallux abducto valgus deformity is largely an inherited disorder, still, from a biomechanical standpoint, wearing shoes that do not properly fit the foot certainly has a very strong likelihood of causing an acceleration of hallux abducto valgus deformity in some individuals.
It is well known that the application of external forces to a body part, over time, may produce a change in structure of that body part. Specifically, ancient techniques such as Chinese foot binding produced quite remarkable changes in foot structure over time. In today's world, the treatment success seen with the Ponseti method of clubfoot manipulation and casting relies also on the concept of application of external forces on a body part, over time, to produce structural changes within that body part.
Any foot that has abnormal magnitudes of external force applied to it, can over time experience structural changes due to these chronic abnormal externally applied forces. In the case of individuals who habitually wear shoes that cause an abnormal external force which tends to rotate the hallux toward the second digit (e.g. pointy-toed dress shoes which are too small for the feet), these abnormal rotational forces acting across the vertical axis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint can, over time, cause permanent deformity in susceptible individuals. The etiology of hallux abducto valgus, like most pedal pathologies, is multi-factorial. As a podiatrist, I would be very careful in stating otherwise unless there is sufficient evidence to refute this concept.
