The prevalence of hallux valgus in three South African populations

The prevalence of hallux valgus and its relationship to the metatarsal angles have been assessed in females between the ages of 2 and 20 years in three populations: an urban White community, an urban Black community and a rural Black community. By the age of 10 years the mean hallux angle is significantly greater in the White girls than in girls in the two Black groups. The angle between the first and second metatarsals is greater in the White than in the Black children and this difference increases throughout childhood and adolescence. It is suggested that young White girls may be predisposed to the abnormality of hallux valgus by having significantly greater metatarsal angles.