"My bunion is playing up"
"It'll be those stupid shoes I wore when I was young."
There are many misconceptions about bunions. . Many
people believe that bunions are self
inflicted and may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before
seeking treatment.
A true bunion is called hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus. The hallux (or big toe) leans towards the second toe instead of
pointing forwards, producing a 'bump' on
the side of the foot. The bump is
actually the head of the metatarsal bone which is not normally visible. It is a
progressive disorder with the angle of the bones changing over time and symptoms often appear at later stages.
Some people are lucky enough never to have any symptoms.
Foot anatomy is
inherited, as are foot mechanics. The bunion is not inherited; it is the foot
type that are prone to bunions. Wearing shoes that crowd the toes won't cause
bunions, but in a person with predisposing factors, they may make the condition
more obvious and more painful.
A person who has a bunion
may experience a variety of problems. There may be pain, swelling and/ or
inflammation over the 'bump'; sometimes bursitis
occurs, occasionally with the presence of a corn or
callus. The area may develop a burning
sensation or become numb. Other problems as a result of having a bunion,
include a corn between the hallux and the second toe and a hammered second toe.
High heels and narrow toe boxes will probably make
the symptoms and effects of bunions worse, as will standing for long periods of
time.
The forces occurring on
and within the foot are very difficult to overcome and an asymptomatic bunion
is best left untreated. In many other cases, some type
of treatment is needed. Early treatments are aimed at easing the pain of
bunions, but they won’t reverse the changes. Inflammation may be reduced by applying ice to
the area and avoiding tight footwear and high heels. Beyond this, a visit to
your podiatrist is recommended and you may be
advised to use padding to deflect pressure from painful sites or to see a
biomechanics specialist, who can prescribe custom orthotic devices
Sometimes it is necessary
to seek advice on surgical interventions. There are many different procedures
available ranging from removal of the 'bump' to correction of the bony
structure and soft tissue changes. Surgery aims to reduce pain. Everyone has their own unique set of problems
which must be addressed on an individual basis.
Don't suffer in silence.
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