Iranian Student Designs AI-Based Device to Diagnose Hallux Valgus
Mohammad Erfan Rezayee won a gold medal in the 50th Invention and Innovation Competition in Geneva, Switzerland, and a silver medal in a competition held in the United Arab Emirates.
“The design I submitted for the Swiss competition was a device to diagnose and monitor hallux valgus (inward bending of the big toe, bunion), which affects 19 percent of the world's population, 23 percent of whom are women,” Rezayee told ANA.
“The device, designed with the help of artificial intelligence, allows for regular monitoring of the patient's condition and avoids old diagnostic methods like X-rays, which may carry a risk of cancer,” he added.
Hallux Valgus, commonly referred to as a bunion, is a complex valgus deformity of the first ray that can cause medial big toe pain and difficulty with shoe wear.
Diagnosis is made clinically with presence of a hallux that rests in a valgus and pronated position. Radiographs of the foot are obtained to identify the severity of the disease and for surgical planning.
Treatment can be nonoperative with shoe modifications for mild and minimally symptomatic cases. Surgical management is indicated for progressive deformity and difficulty with shoe wear.
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