Bunions

What is it?

Bunions are enlargements or bumps that occur on the inside areas of your feet. The enlargement is a result of the joint moving away from the correct position. A bunion deformity can lead to a wide range of problems and consequently can involve a varied approach to treatment for a patient.

A bunion is a progressive deformity and will worsen with time. It is impossible to predict how a deformity will progress or to what extent it will cause debility or symptoms.

Bunions can cause pain in certain shoes, become a common site for arthritic changes, and lead to secondary compensatory problems such as hammertoes or pain in the fat pad area. They may cause serious aesthetic or shoe-wear concerns for certain individuals (ie. women) who choose to wear higher-styled type shoes. Whatever the extent of the cause, a bunion deformity should be professionally evaluated by a foot specialist.

What causes them?

The possible causes of a bunion deformity are numerous and can only be numerically reduced after a thorough examination by the foot specialist. Hereditary tendencies for bunions occur in members of the same family rank high as a potential cause. Another frequent cause of bunions is our manner of walking and the type of shoe we wear over the bunion. The particular mechanics of one’s walking style could result in a bunion deformity. Various arthritic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout can also lead to deformities of the first metatarsal joint and a bunion. Generally speaking, shoes can aggravate an existing bunion deformity but will not initially cause one to occur.

How do you treat them?

The treatment options for bunion deformities include a wide range of therapeutic approaches. An early approach might include shoe modifications, padding, physical therapy and occasional injection care for the existing symptoms. Functional orthotics or foot supportive devices can also reduce the involved abnormal forces and slow the progression of the bunion. In short, this means that the orthotics might prevent the bunion from worsening and may even reduce any existing discomfort. Surgical correction of the involved deformity is still another viable option and should be discussed thoroughly with your foot specialist.

The bottom line is that bunion deformity is a condition that should not be ignored. A clinical evaluation is a highly recommended as a first-line defense in the management of this condition.