Dry Needling of the Abductor Hallucis Muscle in the Management of Hallux Valgus; Effect on Pain, Function and Valgus Angle

Forty Hallux valgus patients between the ages of 25-65 years, who are admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic with the complaint of 1st Metatarsophalangeal (MTF) pain and who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included. Hallux valgus (HV) angles will be measured by dorsoplantar radiography before the patients start the study. The HV angle was measured as the angle between the bisection line of the first metatarsal bone and the first proximal phalanx. Demographic data (age, gender, body mass index) will be recorded at the beginning of the study. Then, the initial Foot Functional Index (FFI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scales were completed. The 1st MTF joint angle was also measured with a goniometer and recorded before starting the study. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group will be given 3 sessions of dry needling with Seirin branded 0.6*50 mm acupuncture needles for trigger point in the abductor hallucis muscle and toe-spread-out exercise. The second group will receive only toe-spread-out exercises. After starting the treatment, FFI and VAS scores and 1st MTF angles will be measured and recorded weekly with a goniometer. At the end of the 3-week treatment, the FFI and VAS scores of the participants will be re-evaluated after 1 week and 1 month, and the participants will be re-evaluated with a goniometer. The hallux valgus angle will be re-evaluated with X-ray 4 weeks after the end of the treatment.