Bunions, Foot, Ankle Injuries

Bunions on the big toe are the most common

A bunion is a bump that forms on the outside of the big toe. This foot deformity occurs from years of pressure on the big toe joint (the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP, joint). Eventually, the toe joint gets out of alignment, and a bony bump forms. The medical term for bunions is hallux abducto valgus. Bunions can form on one or both feet. Shreya Hospital in Ghaziabad provides best treatment for relieving symptoms of Bunions. Though it doesn’t vanish completely, still you will get relief from symptoms and be able to do your daily work comfortably.

Bunions on the big toe are the most common. Other types include:

• Congenital hallux valgus: Some babies are born with bunions.
• Juvenile or adolescent hallux valgus: Tweens and teens between the ages of 10 and 15 may develop bunions.
• Tailor’s bunion: Also called a bunionette, this bunion forms on the outside base of the little (pinky) toe.

Causes of Bunions:

• Pressure from the way you walk (foot mechanics)
• shape of your foot (foot structure) causes your big toe to bend in toward the second toe.
• Family history of bunions due to inherited foot structure problems, like flatfeet.
• Foot injuries
• Inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Signs and Symptoms:

• A bunion resembles a turnip — red and swollen.
• Inability to bend the big toe, or pain and burning when you try to bend it.
• Difficulty wearing regular shoes.
• Corns or calluses (thickened skin).
• Hammertoes (painful, tight toe tendons and joints).
• Numbness in the big toe.

Diagnosis:

• Specialist can diagnose a bunion by looking at it.
• X-rays to check for joint damage and bone alignment.

Treatments:

Bunions don’t go away. Treatment help relieving symptoms and may include:

• Bunion pads and taping: Over-the-counter bunion pads can cushion the area and ease pain. You can also use medical tape to keep the foot in the correct position.
• Footwear changes: Switching to shoes with wide, deep toe boxes can take pressure off of your toes. You may be able to use a stretching device to widen shoes you already own.
• Orthotic devices: Over-the-counter or custom-made shoe inserts (orthotics) can help to control alignment issues such as pronation that may be contributing to bunion formation. You can also place a spacer between the big toe and second digit. Some people find relief by wearing a splint at night to keep the big toe straight.
• Pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both oral and topical can be combined with ice packs help with pain and swelling.
• Physical therapy: Massage, physical therapy and ultrasound therapy can break up soft-tissue adhesions to reduce pain and inflammation. There are actually exercises that can help improve muscle strength around the bunion and can modestly improve alignment.
• Injections: Steroid injections may reduce pain and swelling but may also be damaging if used too often or injected into the joint itself. This is often a late treatment of bunions when trying to avoid surgery.
• Surgery: If nonsurgical treatments don’t help, and walking becomes extremely painful, your provider may recommend surgery. This procedure is called a bunionectomy. Your provider removes the bunion and realigns bones to bring the big toe back into the correct position.