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Do you experience pain in your big toe area or with physical activities such as walking or running? Bunions are a very common foot disorder, making it also one of the most common conditions treated by podiatrists. If you have bunions, you may not always exhibit pain, but when pain is experienced it is often felt when wearing shoes that are too tight or while walking or running. A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions form when your big toe pushes up against your other toes, forcing your big toe joint in the opposite direction, away from the normal profile of your foot. Left untreated, walking and other daily activities can trigger extreme pain. With the help of your Lancaster and Northridge podiatrist and simple conservative measures, bunion pain may be managed without surgery. What Causes a Bunion to Form? 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. They develop when the pressures of bearing and shifting your weight fall unevenly on the joints and tendons in your feet. This imbalance in pressure makes your big toe joint unstable, eventually causing the parts of the joint to form a hard knob that juts out beyond the normal shape of your foot. Common causes of bunions include: • High-heeled or ill-fitting shoes
• Inherited foot type
• Foot injuries
• Deformities present at birth Additionally, bunions may be associated with various types of arthritis, including inflammatory or degenerative forms, causing the protective cartilage that covers your big toe joint to deteriorate. If your work requires you to put extra stress on your feet or suggests you wear pointed shoes, then this too may contribute to the development of a bunion. Bring Relief to your Aching Feet Since bunions are bone deformities, they do not resolve by themselves. The goal for bunion treatment is to relieve pressure and pain caused by irritations, in addition to stopping any progressive growth of the enlargement. Treatment options will vary depending on the severity of your bunion and the amount of pain it causes you. Non-surgical treatments that may help to relieve your pain and pressure of a bunion often include: • Replacing poor fitting footwear with carefully-fitted footwear designed to accommodate the bunion, not contribute to its growth.
• Padding and taping to eliminate the friction against shoes and help alleviate inflammation and skin problems.
• Orthotic devices to help stabilize the joint and place the foot in the correct position for walking and standing.
• Exercises to maintain joint mobility and prevent stiffness or arthritis.
• Splints for nighttime wear to help the toes and joint align properly.
• Removal of corns and calluses on the foot.
Depending on the size of the enlargement, misalignment of the toe, and pain experienced, conservative treatments may not be adequate to prevent progressive damage from bunions. In these cases, bunion surgery, known as bunionechtomy, may be advised to remove the bunion and realign the toe. The main goal of surgery is to reduce the pain that you may be experiencing with your bunion. Talk to your podiatrist in Northridge and Lancaster at the first sign of a bunion in order to discuss treatment options and prevent progression of the deformity.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Thomas Neuman, a Northridge and Lancaster podiatrist. Dr. Thomas Neuman is a board certified foot surgeon with the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery. Offering an array of services, in treatments and procedures, such as heel pain, orthotics, neuropathy and foot pain in Lancaster and Northridge, Dr. Neuman is committed to providing quality podiatric care.
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