Bunions
Bunions refer to a bony prominence on the inside of the foot caused by a realignment of the big toe joint. It is more commonly seen in women, but older athletes and even adolescents are prone to developing bunions.
Not all those who develop a bunion have issues with this condition but those who do suffer several implications including:
Unattractive appearance of the feet.
Pain when walking or performing activities.
Degeneration of the big toe joint leading to irreversible arthritis.
Referred deformity of the structures around the bunion, including clawed or hammer toes of the adjacent toes.
Calluses and corns due to excessive pressure or friction around the big toe joint.
Bunions can result from either one or a combination of the following:
Genetics.
Tight, constricting shoes.
Poor foot structure/inadequate foot mechanics.
Underlying medical conditions (e.g. arthritis).
History of injury or trauma to the big toe.
Treatment
Depending on the level of severity of your bunion, the treatment will vary amongst patients. It may include advice on footwear, offloading techniques to redistribute weight, muscle strengthening and stretching, and/or orthotics to correct your foot mechanics.
Surgery is usually reserved for the more severe cases. If after all conservative treatment options fail to provide you adequate relief, we will aid in informing you of the appropriate surgical procedures that may be of benefit. We can provide a referral to a Podiatric or Orthopaedic Surgeon for you.