From the Research
Patients can typically return to wearing their own shoes around 6 weeks after hallux valgus surgery, as evidenced by a study published in 2019 1, which compared the effects of two different postoperative shoe designs and found that both groups experienced comparable improvements in foot-specific functional outcomes.
Key Considerations
- The transition to regular footwear should be gradual, starting with comfortable, wide-toed athletic shoes or soft, supportive footwear before returning to normal shoes.
- High heels and narrow-toed shoes should be avoided for at least 3-6 months post-surgery to allow for proper bone healing and soft tissue recovery.
- Swelling may persist for several months, so patients should choose shoes that accommodate this residual swelling.
- The surgeon will provide specific guidance based on x-ray confirmation of bone healing, wound healing progress, and the patient's pain levels during follow-up appointments.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
- A study published in 2024 2 emphasized the importance of proper footwear in managing hallux valgus, recommending shoes with an adequate length, wide toe box, cushioned sole, and a lowered heel.
- Another study published in 2019 1 found that a noncambered shoe with transitional rigidity was associated with less back pain and better compliance compared to a reverse cambered shoe.
- A study published in 2016 3 reported that 86% of patients were able to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively, with a mean time to return to heeled footwear of 21.4 weeks.
Patient-Specific Factors
- Individual healing and the specific surgical technique used can influence the timeline for returning to regular shoes.
- Patient expectations and satisfaction with the surgery can also impact the quality of life outcome, as reported in a study published in 2007 4.
- A study published in 2019 5 found that nonoperative treatment using foot orthoses decreased pain in patients with hallux valgus, with a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction.