Bunions, Hallux Valgus, and Hammer Toe VA Disability Ratings (2023)

FAQs

What is the VA disability rating for hallux valgus? ›

The VA rates hallux valgus (diagnostic code 5280) as 10 percent disability for: Operated with resection of metatarsal head. Severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe. Moderate tarsal or metatarsal bones, malunion of, or nonunion of.

DC 5280 provides a maximum rating of 10 percent for unilateral hallux valgus. It provides for a 10 percent rating for operated with resection of metatarsal head and also provides a 10 percent for severe hallux valgus if equivalent to amputation of the great toe. 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, DC 5280.

What you may not know is that bunions and hammertoes commonly occur together in the same foot, and are interrelated in terms of how they develop. Simply put, having a bunion makes it more likely that you'll develop a hammertoe.

Hammer toes (also known as claw toes, mallet toes or retracted toes) are toes that are permanently bent. Hammer toes are caused by hallux valgus or because your toes are squashed by poorly fitting shoes and/or socks. Hammer toes are most common in people who have bunions or high-arched feet.

The veteran's bunion of the right great toe with bunionectomy is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5280. A 10 percent disability rating is the highest rating assignable under the rating criteria for unilateral hallux valgus. See 38 C.F.R.

About bunions

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a deformity caused by the base joint of the big toe developing sideways. This pushes the bones of the big toe towards the smaller toes. If you have a bunion, try to stay positive. There's a lot you can do to help yourself.

Hammertoe deformity is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, DC 5282. Under this Code, a noncompensable rating is warranted for hammertoe of single toes, and a maximum 10 percent rating is assigned when there is hammertoe of all toes of the foot without claw foot.

The right and left foot hammertoe disabilities are rated noncompensable under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5282, for hammertoes of the third, fourth, and fifth toes. Under Diagnostic Code 5282, the criteria for a 10 percent rating are hammertoe deformity of all toes of the foot without claw foot.

Hallux valgus and Hallux rigidus can occur together in a more complex foot deformity. Usually, the bunion deformity has progressed and then is injured by repetitive trauma or a distinctive injury.

A hard, painful bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe is called a bunion, whereas a hammertoe is a foot condition in which the middle joint of a toe abnormally bends, resembling a hammer.

Can your big toe be a hammertoe? ›

Hammertoe commonly affects the second toe and never the big toe. Joints affected. Hammertoe is a deformity of the inner joint of the toe.

The top of the hammertoe will often rub against the inside of the shoe, causing irritation that eventually can develop into corns and calluses. Nerve injury. Although rare, ongoing pressure in or against the toes can result in nerve damage.

Hallux valgus is the most common deformity of the forefoot and the toes. 23% of 18-65-year-olds and over 35% of those over 65 years have hallux valgus. Due to the noticeable form it's also referred to as a bunion or ganglion. Here the big toe moves out of its alignment and points toward the outside edge of the foot.

Conclusion: Hallux valgus is prevalent in the community and is associated with age, female sex, and components of generalized osteoarthritis such as nodal osteoarthritis, knee pain, big toe pain, and self-reported osteoarthritis.

Often times, when patients with hammertoes have bunions or other foot deformities on the same foot, surgery can be done at the same time. When there are bilateral deformities (present of both feet) surgical options become more complex and may vary.

Hallux valgus deformity is a very common pathological condition which commonly produces painful disability. It is characterised as a combined deformity with a malpositioning of the first metatarsophalangeal joint caused by a lateral deviation of the great toe and a medial deviation of the first metatarsal bone.

Diagnostic Code 5281 directs that hallux rigidus, which is unilateral and severe, should be rated as severe hallux valgus. 38 C.F.R.

Abstract. Objective: Hallux valgus (HV) has been linked to functional disability and increased risk of falls, but mechanisms underpinning functional disability are unclear.

Bunions (also known as hallux valgus) occur when there is misalignment of the first metatarsal (one of five long bones that run from mid-foot to the toes) in relation to the big toe. The often-noticeable "bump" is not new bone or overgrowth of bone but actually the metatarsal itself.

Bunion. Bunions are usually caused by prolonged pressure put on the feet that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the second toe. Over time, the condition may become painful as extra bone grows where the base of the big toe meets the foot.

What are the stages of hallux valgus? ›

Stage 1: Lateral displacement of the hallux at the MTP joint. Stage 2: Progression of the hallux abduction (hallux pressing against the second toe) Stage 3: Increased intermetatarsal angle, possible associated second hammertoe deformity. Stage 4: Partial/Complete hallux dislocation at the MTP joint[12]

Hammertoe and mallet toe are foot deformities that occur due to an imbalance in the muscles, tendons or ligaments that normally hold the toe straight. The type of shoes you wear, foot structure, trauma and certain disease processes can contribute to the development of these deformities.

Under DC 5284, a 10 percent rating is warranted for a moderate foot injury, a 20 percent rating is warranted for a moderately severe foot injury, and a 30 percent rating is warranted for a severe foot injury.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat feet is denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral high arches also is denied.

It most often affects the second or third toe. Although a hammer toe may be present at birth, it usually develops over time due to arthritis or wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as tight, pointed heels.

Symptoms of hammer toe include foot pain, calluses on the sole of the foot, or corns on the top of the toe. Treatment of mild cases and cases in children can include foot manipulation and splinting of the toe. More severe cases may need surgery to straighten the toe joint.

Hallux valgus is associated with balance deficits, and has been implicated as an independent risk factor for falls in older adults.

Hallux valgus deformity – This deformity is defined as a lateral deviation of the hallux (great toe) on the first metatarsal (figure 4). The deviation of the hallux occurs primarily in the transverse plane.

Unlike hallux rigidus, hallux valgus is the result of your bones shifting, with the resulting protrusion going outwards, and not upwards like with hallux rigidus's osteophyte. Hallux valgus, or a bunion, with a bump on the left big toe. There are Several Phases of bunions.

How painful is bunion and hammertoe surgery? ›

Traditional, or open-foot surgeries for conditions like hammertoes and bunions can be very painful and force an individual to spend at least a day in the hospital. These procedures require large incisions along the feet to correctly realign the muscles and joints.

Surgery is Always Considered for a Good Reason

Our primary goal for treating bunions and hammertoes is to help our patients find relief, and the condition itself does not always need to be “corrected” to do so. If we can do that through non-surgical methods, we will almost always prefer those over surgery!

A hammertoe can result in improper distribution of your body weight, causing unnatural pressure or wear-and-tear on other parts of your foot and body. The chronic tightness in your muscles can cause sore feet. Inadequate foot support can stress other parts of your body, such as your knees, ankles, or back.

The most common cause of hammer toe is wearing short, narrow shoes that are too tight. The toe is forced into a bent position. Muscles and tendons in the toe tighten and become shorter.

This deformity can cause pain and difficulty walking, and a corn or callus may appear on top of the joint. A joint going rigid, pain at the top of the bent toe, and swelling are some of the symptoms of hammertoes. If you have symptoms, see your healthcare provider or a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Bunions & Leg Pain

What's more, bunions can indirectly lead to leg pain over time. If a bunion becomes severe enough, a person may have difficulty walking and thus adjust their gait to accommodate pain in their feet. This, in turn, may place added pressure on the knees, calves, or thighs.

Bunions may even cause nerve damage in the big toe, which can manifest in the form of burning and numbness. Bunions may be painful to the touch or cause dull, throbbing pain throughout the day.

Even a bunion could explain your lower back pain. When your foot changes shape because of this growth, your posture changes, too. And that can lead to back pain, especially since bunions can also make it harder to fit into supportive, close-toed shoes.

Bunion and Bunionette

Hallux valgus, also known as a bunion, is the most common deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, resulting in the proximal phalanx deviating laterally and the first metatarsal head deviating medially.

In other words, lower back pain can be caused by bunions, but bunions can also form due to lower back pain. While lower back pain is very common, there is a key differentiator in determining if your back pain is due to bunions. Typically, bunions cause back pain with prolonged walking.

Can hallux valgus cause hip pain? ›

Bunions can cause knee and hip pain

If your bunion pain changes your gait, your knees and hips are the first to notice, and they, in turn, make a change.

Hallux valgus is associated with a higher risk of foot and knee pain, [11] increased disability in women with knee OA, [12] and was linked to the progression of knee OA in a case study [45].

The pain of hallux rigidus is a result of arthritis in the joint, bone spurs, and possible loose bodies that break off from the bone spurs. The pain from a bunion, on the other hand, is caused by the bump rubbing on the side of the shoe.

Bunions and hammer toes are foot deformities generally caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. These conditions sometimes run in families whose feet are more susceptible to these kinds of injuries and are much more common in women.

Your surgeon places stitches and bandages on your toe to help the area heal properly. The whole process can take anywhere from 45 min to 3 hours depending on the severity of the bunion and what needs to be performed to correct it.

Both hallux valgus deformity and chronic big toe pain are more common in people with gout than in age- and gender-matched control subjects [4].

Hallux valgus (HV) is a common anatomical deformity leading to pain and difficulty with footwear and mobility. Bilateral HV deformity is much more common than unilateral although it remains unclear whether the severity of deformity is equal between feet.

Bunions (Hallux Valgus) Pressure from the way you walk or your foot shape can cause a bunion, a painful bony lump on the outside of the big toe. Narrow shoes and standing for long periods can make bunion pain worse. If bunion pads, toe spacers and better-fitting shoes don't help, you may need surgery (a bunionectomy).

Evaluation is primarily with plain radiography, with X-rays (AP and lateral weight-bearing) of the foot. Imaging demonstrates a lateral hallux deviation at the first metatarsal (normal hallux valgus angle is less than 15 degrees, and the intermetatarsal angle is less than 9 degrees).

Hallux valgus is a condition in which the big toe migrates laterally toward the second toe. This results in a bump on the inner side of the foot know as a bunion. It is related to a combination of genetic factors, activities and inheritance. Some patients who have this condition do not have symptoms.

What is the degree of bunion deformity? ›

There are different stages of a bunion which are shown below: A – Grade 1 (no deformity); B – grade 2 (mild deformity); C – grade 3 (moderate deformity); D – grade 4 (severe deformity). Conservative options have been reported across the literature with mixed results.

The hallux valgus angle (HVA) is defined as the angle between the shaft axis of the first metatarsal and the proximal phalanx of the hallux (standard 15° angle). Several authors have suggested angles greater than 15° as pathological values.