Hallux Valgus, Not Hallux Abductus Valgus: A Short Report on Historical and Anatomical Terminology

This short report argues that the term "hallux abductus valgus" is anatomically inconsistent and should be replaced by "hallux valgus." Hallux valgus describes a lateral deviation of the great toe with a medial deviation of the first metatarsal. Although the deformity has historically been called "hallux abductus valgus," this creates confusion because the muscle contributing to the lateral deviation is the adductor hallucis, not the abductor hallucis.

The authors trace this inconsistency back to Carl Hueter's original description in the 19th century. Hueter defined the deviation of the great toe as abduction when referenced to the median plane of the whole body but as adduction when referenced to the median plane of the foot, and he preferred the former terminology. The authors argue that this was a conceptual error because movements of the toes should be described relative to the foot axis, classically defined through the second toe, rather than the body's midline.

This terminology problem has persisted in the literature, leading some authors to misidentify the muscle released during lateral soft tissue procedures as the abductor hallucis, or to incorrectly describe the abductor hallucis as having transverse and oblique heads.

Based on anatomical principles and historical analysis, the authors conclude that "Hallux Abductus Valgus" is misleading and suggest that the deformity should be called either "hallux adductus valgus" or, preferably, simply "hallux valgus."