What causes a bunion? The long metatarsal bone that runs along the top of the foot into the big toe [MTP] joint becomes deviated. Pressure on the big toe forces the toe to crowd the four smaller toes. This is evidenced by the big toe beginning to point across the projection of the smaller toes.
Over time the structure of the toe changes enhancing the bump. As the deformity increases, the bunion may cause pain as it rubs against your footwear when walking or running.
Bunions are more common in women. Narrow footwear that might be worn by women forces the big toe to crowd the four smaller toes which increases the likelihood of a bunion to occur. Painful symptoms can be relieved by wearing shoes with wider toe box, relieving pressure on the big toe.
CAUSES
- Poor fitting shoes, particularly shoes with a small or reduced toe box that forces the toes to crowd.
- Some people are more likely to develop bunions due to their foot shape and structure. Therefore, you likelihood of developing bunions can be heredity.
- Sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis or a neuromuscular condition such as Polio are also more likely to suffer bunions.
SYMPTOMS
- Pain and tenderness of the big toe joint and big toe.
- Deformity of big toe joint
- Swelling around the joint
- Reduced movement in joint
- Stiffness in joint
How can Firefly Foot & Ankle Clinic help ?
At Firefly we can advise on suitable footwear and inform you about how to suitably cushion the bunion to reduce pain. We can advise and prescribe exercises designed to strengthen the Abductor Hallucis muscles to help realign the big toe and prevent it crowding the four smaller toes.
Where suitable we can prescribe orthotics. By rebalancing the foot, orthotics can remove pressure from the big toe joint, relieving pain. Studies have found, in 50% of cases bunions respond positively when the patient is prescribed custom foot made orthotics based on the patient’s biomechanical findings.
In severe cases, Firefly’s Podiatric team will advise on the merits of surgical intervention.