Have you noticed strange bumps around the joints of your feet? Are these bumps causing pain and stiffness, making it difficult for you to go about your day? You may have bunions. Bunions can be a serious concern, affecting your day-to-day life.
But what are bunions and why do they develop? Here, we’ll outline what you need to know to understand how and why you have bunions and what you can do about them.
For personalised advice, contact our team at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre today.
What are Bunions?
Bunions, also known as hallux valgus, are a growth or painful bony bump that forms around the base of the big toe joint. The bunion forms on the outside of your foot. This can directly affect the natural alignment of your feet, pushing your toe joint out of place as the bunion grows over time. As bunions develop and worsen, they can begin to affect the alignment of your other toes as well.
While bunions can take years to fully develop, the earliest signs of a bunion development may be noticed in childhood. If these early signs are missed you may not notice it until it has started to impact your life. However, once they have reached a certain size they can cause significant pain around the area and stiffness and additional compensations, impeding your ability to move and footwear choice.
Here are several other symptoms you may experience:
- Swelling around your toe joint
- Difficulty moving or bending your big toe
- Pain when you wear shoes
- Calluses or thickened skin around the joint
- Numbness around your big toe joint
What Causes Bunions?
You will most likely develop bunions from pressure placed on your feet. This pressure is usually applied over long periods, generally several years. This can be caused by your feet not evenly distributing your weight or localised areas of excessive pressure, wearing shoes that are too tight, or even how you walk.
Likewise, health conditions and genetics can impact the integrity of your toes. Arthritis is one such condition that can affect the strength of your joints and make it more likely for bunions to develop.
Preventative Measures
There are several ways you can work to prevent bunions from developing. Avoiding the use of high heels or other ill-fitting shoes can help ensure your toes have the space they need. Fitted, comfortable shoes that properly support your feet can also help protect them.
Recognising the underlining reason for the bunions development is crucial in preventing its growth and progression. Unloading overloaded foot structures may slow the bunions growth and development. Customised toe spacers can help separate your toes and reduce pressure. Custom foot orthoses are effective in unloading overloaded joints resulting in bunions. Further, toe exercises and stretches can strengthen the muscles and tendons around your toes. This can help them recover faster from strain and maintain their flexibility, combating the stiffness that bunions cause.
Bunion Treatments
Podiatrists are health professionals that treat and manage foot health. If you are concerned about developing bunions, or you believe you already have a bunion deformity, reach out to your podiatrist to determine the best course of action. They can guide you through several different treatment or prevention measures to ensure your health.
Here we’ll outline what you can expect from each one and how they help you recover from and treat your bunions
Shoe Inserts
Shoe inserts, or orthotics, are placed inside your shoe. They are specifically measured and designed to support your feet, reducing the impact of walking and moving. This, in turn, helps to distribute the pressure on your big toe more evenly. This is a great preventative measure and it can also help your feet recover from bunions.
Bunion Pads
Bunion pads are wraps that are placed around your feet and toes. They are designed to act as an extra cushion between your big toe and the side of your shoe, to prevent additional rubbing and discomfort.
Likewise, if the wrap is applied correctly it can help to realign your big toe, promoting a natural shape. While these have been known to help manage pain, they may not be as reliable when it comes to treating bunions. Discussing with a professional is important to determine if these are the right fit for you.
Bunion Pain Management
Bunions can cause significant foot pain, especially if left untreated. However, there are several methods you can use to reduce pain such as medication, rest and the application of heat or ice. Though these methods can help to relieve pain, they do not treat the underlying cause. This means that without significant interventions your bunions will continue to develop, causing more pain and discomfort.
Bunion Surgery
If your bunions are severe enough and you have exhausted conservative treatments, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. During a bunion surgery the big toe joint, the metatarsal bone, tendons and muscles are realigned to correct their position. This treats the bunion directly and ensures your feet are aligned.
That said, as with most surgeries, bunion surgery comes with risk. You may experience numbness, swelling and potential nerve damage. Likewise, it is important to monitor for infection while you recover. If you’re not sure if you need surgery or if other treatments may help, reach out to a podiatrist. They can assess your condition and determine the best course of action.
Your Trusted Podiatrist
Bunions can be debilitating to live with. They can impact your ability to walk and move with ease while causing significant pain not only at the site of the bunion but at other areas such as your knees, hips and lower back. If you’ve noticed that your toes rub together painfully or that your big toe joint corns have grown, reach out to your podiatrist today.
At the Leg and Pain Centre, we can help you prevent and treat bunions so that you can walk with ease again. Put your health first and reach out to our welcoming team today.
