All you need to know about Bunions

What is a Bunion
Bunion Causes
Who Does it Effect
Symptoms
What Makes it Worse
What Makes it Better
Footpoint’s Philosophy
Footpoint’s Bunion Treatment
When is Bunion Surgery Needed

What is a Bunion?

To most people a Bunion means a bony bump on the side of the big toe. In reality the bunion is just one sign of a complex structural deformity resulting in pain.

what is a bunion The condition is called Hallux Valgus which simply means that the big toe (hallux) instead of lying straight moves towards the second toe resulting in the bony bump called a bunion.

As the big toe moves closer to the second toe is may result in the second toe lifting up and causing painful corns to develop.

Causes of Bunions

Hereditary - the bunion is not hereditary but the foot type that is prone to developing the bunion is
Foot Function

Dropped arches (flat foot) will result in over loading of the bunion, on occasion a foot with a high arch may over load the bunion
A foot that rolls in (pronates) will result in over loading of the bunion
An unstable foot will result in over loading of the bunion

Footwear - high heeled shoes with a pointy or narrow toe box will aggravate the bunion

Who Does it Effect

Bunion’s effect men and women, both young and old. There is a higher incidence of pain in women due to inappropriate foot wear
People that spend long periods of time on their feet
People that participate in exercise

Symptoms of Bunions

Bunions cause pain at the site of the bunion
Bunions cause pain in the joint
Bunions cause redness / inflammation at the site of the bunion
Bunions cause corns / callus

What Makes it Worse

High heels
Incorrectly fitting shoes
Incorrect exercise shoes
Over pronation (foot rolling in)

What Makes it Better

Appropriate shoes
Matching your foot to the right sports shoe
Assisting poor foot function
Rest, ice, anti inflammatory to control pain and inflammation

Footpoint’s Philosophy

At Footpoint we believe that bunion surgery should be a last resort. We have developed a process for managing bunion pain which allows our patients to continue with their active lifestyles.

Footpoint’s approach to Bunions links back into the
three main causes

Hereditary
Foot Function
Footwear

We can’t change your parents but we can have a positive influence over the way your foot functions and the shoes that you wear.

We use the latest digital technology for assessing gait and foot pressure. This allows us to gather all the information needed to determine your foot function and treatment needs.

At Footpoint we are all expertly trained in assessing footwear and have years of experience working in the shoe industry. To ensure you are fitted with the right shoe we have many contacts with shops selling footwear suitable for problematic feet.

Footpoint’s Treatment for Bunions

treatment for bunions We have a conservative approach which consists of:

Foot exercises to strengthen weakened foot muscles
Stretching exercises to assist with tight foot muscles
Foot joint mobilisations (when needed)
Shoe recommendations
Pads to distribute weight off the painful bunion
Orthotics to control foot function

These treatments will not change the appearance of the bunion but it will result in a reduction in pain and in many cases slows the progress of the deformity. We will only recommend orthotics if we feel that they will be beneficial. We have a range of different orthotic devices that suit different styles of shoes.

We will always endeavor to work through the best treatment option to suit your lifestyle.

When is Bunion Surgery Needed?

In the majority of cases we recommend exhausting all conservative treatments before considering surgery. If the pain of a bunion doesn’t respond to a conservative approach then, it's time to discuss options with a foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.

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