Bunions appear as a large bony lump at the ball of the foot around the big toe
They are one of the most common foot disorders that affect people
In medical terms, a bunion is referred to as hallux abducto valgus – meaning the big toe deviates towards the smaller toes
Over time, patients may notice the bony lump enlarge and become painful
Causes:
Ill fitting footwear, such as tight narrow shoes or high heels
Poor foot biomechanics that leads to instability around the big toe joint eventually leading to development of a bunion
Bunions tend to run in families, not because they are inherited but because you can inherit the poor foot biomechanics listed above
Pain in Bunions:
Pain can be due to:
Pressure of footwear
Pain in the joint due to arthritis as the joint can become restricted in normal movement
Treatment:
Get a Podiatrists opinion and start treatment as soon as possible
Bunions are almost always progressive and tend to get larger and more painful with time
They can begin at a young age
Unfortunately, once a bunion occurs there is no way to reduce the size of the lump without surgery
Your Podiatrist can discuss the treatment options to relieve pressure, help with symptoms and slow the progression of the bunion: - Footwear Advice - Orthotics - Toe separators - Exercises
