[Long-term results with women's feet].

When ladies complain of painful feet, they usually have hallux valgus. They can hardly accept that their ailment has something to do with too narrow shoes; therefore, it is not easy to explain to them, that usually the problem could be solved with comfortable large foot-wear and that an operation is not always necessary. On the other hand, operations for hallux valgus must not be labelled simply as a luxury procedure. Many patients can be relieved of pain and given the opportunity to wear acceptable fashionable shoes, provided that the appropriate method is chosen for each patient individually. This choice depends not only on the deformity of the foot, but to a high degree on age, profession and the situation of the patient, and what is most important, on her ideas and wishes.