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What Are Bunions
- The first toe joint plays a significant role during gait and is responsible for carrying a lot of the body's weight while walking.
- When the bone or tissues associated with the big toe joints move out of place a "bump" begins to form at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint (base of the big toe).
- The big toe is forced to bend towards the 2nd toe causing the prominent lump of bone.
- A similar presentation can appear on the outside of the foot at 5th toe called a Tailor's Bunion.
Causes
- Genetics / Heredity
- Trauma / Injury
- Biomechanical abnormalities (i.e flat feet)
- Abnormal pressure
- Improper footwear (i.e. heels)
- Neuromuscular disorders
Symptoms
- Corns / Calluses
- Swelling
- Pain
- Redness
- Firm bump on the outside edge of the 1st toe joint
- Restricted motion at the big toe joint
When To Visit A Foot Specialist
- Persistant pain is an indication that podiatric medical attention is necessary
- If untreated, bunions tend to get bigger and more painful making non-surgical treatment less of an option.
-Early treatment is always the better option.
What Can I Expect During The Visit
- Physical examination of the lower limbs.
- Padding / Taping techniques
- Medication to ease pain and inflammation
- Ultrasound / Laser Therapy
- Orthotics
- Surgical Correction
Prevention
- Early treatment is always the better option to attempt to halt the progression of the bunion formation.
- Wear shoes that have wide and deep toe boxes to accommodate your foot properly.
- If you are an individual with excessive flat feet, wear supportive shoes and get custom orthotics from your foot specialist if necessary.
- The first toe joint plays a significant role during gait and is responsible for carrying a lot of the body's weight while walking.
- When the bone or tissues associated with the big toe joints move out of place a "bump" begins to form at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint (base of the big toe).
- The big toe is forced to bend towards the 2nd toe causing the prominent lump of bone.
- A similar presentation can appear on the outside of the foot at 5th toe called a Tailor's Bunion.
Causes
- Genetics / Heredity
- Trauma / Injury
- Biomechanical abnormalities (i.e flat feet)
- Abnormal pressure
- Improper footwear (i.e. heels)
- Neuromuscular disorders
Symptoms
- Corns / Calluses
- Swelling
- Pain
- Redness
- Firm bump on the outside edge of the 1st toe joint
- Restricted motion at the big toe joint
When To Visit A Foot Specialist
- Persistant pain is an indication that podiatric medical attention is necessary
- If untreated, bunions tend to get bigger and more painful making non-surgical treatment less of an option.
-Early treatment is always the better option.
What Can I Expect During The Visit
- Physical examination of the lower limbs.
- Padding / Taping techniques
- Medication to ease pain and inflammation
- Ultrasound / Laser Therapy
- Orthotics
- Surgical Correction
Prevention
- Early treatment is always the better option to attempt to halt the progression of the bunion formation.
- Wear shoes that have wide and deep toe boxes to accommodate your foot properly.
- If you are an individual with excessive flat feet, wear supportive shoes and get custom orthotics from your foot specialist if necessary.