Bunion – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Bunions are bumps on the side of the big toe and indicate changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. In the case of a bunion, the big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This causes the bones to be thrown out of alignment,producing the bunion’s “bump”.

Wearing shoes that are too tight around the base of the big toe will cause bunion sufferers such extreme pain that walking becomes impossible due to that joint’s inflammation. Been there!

Wearing improperly fitting shoes, especially those with a narrow toe box and excessive heel height, often causes the formation of a bunion. This forefoot deformity is seen more often in women than men. The higher frequency in females may be related to the strong link between footwear fashion and bunions. In fact, in a recent survey of more than 350 women, nearly 90% wore shoes that were at least one size too small or too narrow.

Causes

Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Although wearing shoes that crowd the toes won't actually cause bunions in the first place, it sometimes makes the deformity get progressively worse. That means you may experience symptoms sooner.

Symptoms

The dominant symptom of a bunion is a big bulging bump on the inside of the base of the big toe. Other symptoms include swelling, soreness and redness around the big toe joint, a tough callus at the bottom of the big toe and persistent or intermittent pain.

Red, calloused skin along the foot at the base of the big toe

A bony bump at this site

Pain over the joint, aggravated by pressure from shoes

Prevention of Bunions

There are certain methods that could help you in preventing occurrences of bunions. Wearing properly fitting shoes is the best and easiest way of preventing bunions. Properly fitting shoes means shoes that provide comfort and shoes that keep tips of the smaller toes in level with one another, when resting toes on shoe insole.

Treatment

There are many different treatments for bunions. Medications, such as ibuprofen will temporary relieve the pain and inflammation. Change in footwear is a more permanent treatment that will help the bunion go away. Commercial bunion pads, and bunion night splints can reduce the size of the bunion.
In rare cases, surgery is needed.

Surgery

An operation may be advised if a change of footwear does not ease symptoms. The aim of the operation is to straighten the joint as much as possible. There are many different types of operation which are used to treat bunions. These range from operations to 'trim' parts of the joint, to a total artificial replacement of the big toe joint (similar to a knee or a hip replacement). The operation chosen by the specialist depends on the severity of the bunion, the shape of your foot, and other factors such as if you have arthritis in the joint. An operation is usually successful at easing symptoms, but not in all cases.