Bunions

What Is a Bunion?

A bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—that forms when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. This forces the toe to bend toward the others, causing an often painful lump of bone on the foot. Since this joint carries a lot of the body’s weight while walking, bunions can cause extreme pain if left untreated. The MTP joint itself may become stiff and sore, making even the wearing of shoes difficult or impossible. Bunions may also occur on the outside of the foot along the little toe, where it is called a "bunionette" or "tailor’s bunion."

Symptoms

• Development of a firm bump on the outside edge of the foot, at the base of the big toe.
• Redness, swelling, or pain at or near the MTP joint.
• Corns or other irritations caused by the overlap of the first and second toes.
• Restricted or painful motion of the big toe.

How Do You Get a Bunion?

Bunions form when the normal balance of forces that is exerted on the joints and tendons of the foot becomes disrupted. This can lead to instability in the joint and cause the deformity. They are brought about by years of abnormal motion and pressure over the MTP joint. They are, therefore, a symptom of faulty foot development and are usually caused by the way we walk, and our inherited foot type, our shoes, or other sources.
Although bunions tend to run in families, it is the foot type that is passed down—not the bunion. Parents who suffer from poor foot mechanics can pass their problematic foot type on to their children, who, in turn, are also prone to developing bunions.
Other causes of bunions are foot injuries, neuromuscular disorders, or congenital deformities. People who suffer from flat feet or low arches are also prone to developing these problems, as are arthritic patients and those with inflammatory joint disease.
Wearing shoes that are too tight cause the toes to be squeezed together is also a common factor, one that explains the high prevalence of the disorder among women.

 

What Can You Do For Relief?

• Apply a commercial, non-medicated bunion pad around the bony prominence.
• Wear shoes with a wide and deep toe box.
• If your bunion becomes inflamed and painful, apply ice packs several times a day to reduce swelling.
• Avoid high-heeled shoes over two inches tall.

Conservative Treatment For Bunion Pain

The primary goal of most early treatment options is to relieve pressure on the bunion and halt the progression of the joint deformity. Our podiatrist may recommend these treatments:
Padding & Taping
Often the first step in a treatment plan, padding the bunion minimises pain and allows the patient to continue a normal, active life. Taping helps keep the foot in a normal position, thus reducing stress and pain.
Medication
Anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections are often prescribed to ease the acute pain and inflammations caused by joint deformities.
Orthotics (Insoles or arch Support)
Shoe inserts may be useful in controlling foot function and may reduce symptoms and prevent worsening of the deformity, these may be in the form of padding or insole orthotic.
When early treatments fail or the bunion progresses past the threshold for such options, podiatric surgery may become necessary to relieve pressure and repair the toe joint.