Bunions can cause a lot of pain and discomfort in your feet.
Ugh. What’s that enormous bulge at the base of your big toe? My friend, that’s a bunion.
The scientific word for it is hallux valgus, which is as unsightly as the bunion itself. It occurs when the bone or tissue on the joint at the bottom of your big toe moves out of its natural position. Hallux valgus means “moved away from the midline of the body.”
The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is where the first metatarsal bone of the foot rotates outward and the big toe points inward, causing a bunion (in the direction of the other toes). This causes the joint to protrude, resulting in a bulge that is frequently uncomfortable. The skin around the joint thickens and can swell and become irritated.
What causes this to happen?
Bunions are most commonly caused by wearing shoes that are overly tight. Bunions are not genetic, but they do run in families due to a poor foot structure. Their creation might be aided by flat or pronated feet. Bunions are believed to affect 33 percent of the population in Western countries.
This is the joint that conducts all the heavy lifting while you’re walking, nearly carrying every pound of your body weight with each stride. So, yes, the discomfort associated with a bunion can be excruciating and ongoing.
Bunions are more common in those who stand a lot, such as cops, teachers, and nurses, as well as pregnant women, whose hormones may relax ligaments.
Bunions are common among arthritis patients, as the disease damages the cartilage in the joint.
Bunions and their Treatment
Bunions do not heal on their own since they are bone abnormalities. The purpose of bunion treatment is twofold: first, to relieve pressure and pain produced by irritations, and second, to prevent the expansion from progressing. Bunions are commonly treated using the following procedures to relieve pressure and pain:
Protective padding, commonly made of felt, that helps to reduce irritation and skin concerns by reducing friction against shoes.
Corns and calluses on the foot are removed.
Changing to custom-fit shoes that will accommodate the bunion rather than encourage it to expand.
Orthotic devices, both over-the-counter and custom-made, can assist stabilize the joint and position the foot in the proper walking and standing position.
Splints to help the toes and joint align properly during night. Adolescents with bunions are frequently advised to do so since their bone development may still be malleable.
The bad news is that bunions aren’t going away anytime soon. Unless medically removed, they are permanent. Consult a podiatrist if you have one that is bothering you. Follow these guidelines to relieve the pain of an existing bunion or to prevent the deformity from worsening:
Wear shoes that give appropriate arch support and avoid flattening of the foot. Maintaining a straight foot relieves pressure on the bunions and helps to slow the evolution of the deformity.
Make sure the shoes you select have a large toe box to accommodate your bunions.
Exercises to keep joints mobile and avoid stiffness and arthritis.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
Click here to learn about the shoes that can help you manage your bunion deformity and pain.
