Bunions

Bunions

Bunions are one of those foot condition words that gets thrown around quite a bit yet many people claim they suffer from them without really understanding what a Bunion is. Because of this, many people suffering from Bunions and other more serious foot conditions may suffer for years without seeking proper treatment.
A Bunion, or Hallux Valgus, is basically a bump on the side of the foot. However, this bump results from a structural change in the foot. This structural change occurs when the Big Toe begins to lean toward the second toe instead of maintaining its natural position. As a result, the bones which maintain the position of the big to are pushed out of alignment and form a bump.

The condition may begin with the movement of the big toe toward the second to but Bunions are progressive meaning the condition will worsen and become more severe over time. so the bump associate with Bunions becomes larger and more painful as time goes on.

Bunions can occur due to trauma in the front section of the foot but are most often caused by a genetic structural malady of the foot. Certain types of foot structures are more likely to develop Bunions than others. It is a common misconception that wearing heels or improper fitting shoes cause Bunions but footwear seems to just take advantage of those whose feet are genetically predisposed to the condition.
Regardless of the cause, most symptoms are noticed by women who wear shoes with a tight toe box and/or high heals. Since mens shoes have wider toe boxes and lower heals, the pressure on the foot forces a structural shift in the big toe less often.

When treating Bunions early the focus is usually to reduce pain and slow the progression of the condition. This starts with changes in footwear, using padding in over the area where bunions occur, and changes in activity levels. The injection of corticosteroids can prove helpful in reducing inflammation in the joint and custom orthotic devices can be fabricated to relieve the tension on the foot.

If the pain and discomfort from Bunions inhibits normal daily activities surgical treatments are often recommended. Your podiatrist can best map out this course of treatment and while ultimately corrected, the recovery from Bunion surgery can be painful and slow.