Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)

Even though bunions are a common foot deformity, there are misconceptions about them. Many people may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before seeking treatment.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion (also referred to as hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus) is often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more than that. The visible bump actually reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. The big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment – producing the bunion’s “bump.”

Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which becomes increasingly prominent. Symptoms usually appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms.

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, it sometimes makes the deformity get progressively worse. Symptoms may therefore appear sooner.

Symptoms

Symptoms, which occur at the site of the bunion, may include:

Pain or soreness
Inflammation and redness
A burning sensation
Possible numbness

Symptoms occur most often when wearing shoes that crowd the toes, such as shoes which are narrow or pointed at the front or high heels. This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. In addition, spending long periods of time on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of bunions.

Diagnosis

If you suspect you have a Bunion you should make an appointment to see one of our podiatrists here in the clinic. Because bunions are progressive, they don’t go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike – some bunions progress more rapidly than others. Once we have evaluated your bunion, a treatment plan can be developed that is suited to your needs.

Non-Surgical Treatment

It is important that a podiatrist looks at your bunion sooner rather than later to evaluate what is needed, in some cases we can advise simple interventions which are aimed at easing the pain of the bunions but they won’t reverse the deformity itself. These include:

Changes in Footwear

Wearing the right kind of shoes is very important. Choose shoes that have are wider and do not pinch at the front and forgo those with pointed toes or high heels, which may aggravate the condition. We can advise you on the correct footwear for your condition and we also have a range of shoes in stock that may suit your condition.

Padding

We can add padding over the bunion to help minimize the pain.

Activity Modifications

Avoid activity that causes bunion pain, including standing for long periods of time.

Medications

Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.

Icing

Applying an ice pack several times a day helps reduce inflammation and pain.

Injection therapy

Although rarely used in bunion treatment, injections of corticosteroids may be useful in treating the inflamed bursa (fluid-filled sac located around a joint) sometimes seen with bunions.