A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the inner of your big toe. It occur when your big toe pushes against your next toe, forcing the joint of your big toe to get bigger and stick out.
Bunion can be of several types. The most common bunion is at the base of the big toe. It is a localized area of enlargement or prominence. Bunion is caused at the inner portion of the joint. The enlargement is in actual a representation of the misalignment of the joint of the big toe. In some cases, it also shows an additional bone formation.
Once misalignment occurs, it causes the big toe to point outward. Hence it rotates towards the smaller toes. The symptoms of the disease may increase or not. However, the deformity is progressive in nature. This means it will increase from time to time. The joint at the base of the big toe is enlarged and can become inflamed with redness, tenderness, and pain. It can also cause inflammation to a small fluid-filled sac that is adjacent to the joint. It will lead to an increase in swelling, redness, and pain. In later stages of deformity, the problem may increase.
What to Look for and When to Call a Doctor?
You should consult with a Doctor if you see any of the symptoms of Bunion. If your flat shoes were comfortable in past and suddenly are causing problems during walking, you must be conscious. It is major chance that you are causing from Bunion. An appointment with a podiatrist should be made. Even if it is not a Bunion, it could be some related problem that needs to be checked.
A physician is more likely to consider a possible diagnosis for a bunion. He will note all the symptoms of the disease. He will have an access to the anatomy of the foot. These include an examination of the joint and foot function. Radiographs of the foot will also be of great help for him. It will help him to determine the integrity of the joints of the foot.
How Can I Get Rid Of A Bunion?
A bunion is a simple problem for which the most common symptom is the usage of fitted shoes. It is simply a matter of wearing tight fit shoes or high heels for females. Doctors advise using low heel shoes that are comfortable enough to provide a space for your toes. Toes are also the widest part of the foot.
Given below are some approaches that need to be adopted if you want to get rid of Bunion. These will relieve the pain and will reduce the pressure on joints:
- You should work on maintaining a normal Obesity is the home of all diseases and is an important factor for Bunion causing.
- You should protect the bunion with a moleskin or with a pad that is filled with gel.
- Use a shoe insert if needed. It will help to position your foot correctly.
- Ask your doctor and if he permits, wear a splint at night. It will hold your toe straight and will be helpful in reducing the discomfort.
- Take some medicines such as ibuprofen.
- Use type of footwear that is well wide in the toe area. Always shop from stores where the staff is cooperative and gives proper time to you. Measure your foot properly and had a wide toe shoe for you every time.
Causes Of Bunion:
The exact cause of Bunion is unknown. Doctors are trying to get near to the reason and in doing so had found some of the reasons for the problem. High heels are considered as a most common cause of the bunion. Wearing high heels forces your toes to come to the front of your shoes. It often causes crowding to your toes. Too much-fitted shoes are also a common cause to a bunion. People who use too tight shoes are much vulnerable to cause bunion.
Doctors are of the belief that bunion might be a heretical problem. A person whose family members have a structural defect in the foot, is more likely to have bunion. The tendency is increased for a healthy family.
What Is The Treatment OF Bunion:
There is a different type of treatment methods available for bunions. The treatment option varies and depends on the severity of your bunion. It is also affected by the amount of pain that is caused to the patients. If the bunion is in its initial stages, it is clear chance that you will relieve your place without the need for a surgery. Some non-surgical methods of treatment are discussed below.
Changing shoes is considered as an important treatment. If your bunion is in its initial stages, you can quickly control it by wearing roomy shoes. Your shoes should have a plenty of space so your toes will fit in it.
You can also use the counter bunion pads that are non-medicated. You should try to reduce the stress on your bunion. It will help you to relieve pain. Your doctor could help you clearly in it.
There are some medicines that are important to use for curing of bunion. These include Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Cortisone injections are also very helpful in controlling the pain caused by bunion.
How Bunion Surgery Works?
If all the non-surgical methods fail to provide you the relief, the last option left with you is surgery. It is only done when it is needed urgently because it is not recommended by expert doctors. If your bunion causes you to have frequent pain or stops you from doing your daily life activities, then it is probably the last option.
There are different procedures for the surgery of bunion. No technique is considered as best and the doctor will decide for which way is needed in each case. The surgical procedures are discussed below:
Removing the swollen tissue – In this method, the tissue causing swelling around the big toe joint is removed. Thus the problem is taken out.
Straightening your big toe – This method involves the removal of a part of the bone. Thus, your big toe is made straight.
Realigning the long bone – This is done between the back part of the foot and the big toe. The long bone is realigned so that the abnormal angle will get straightened.
Another way of surgery is to join the bones of your affected joint. It is a permanent way. You can walk on your feet immediately after the surgery is been done. However, permanent recovery may take a long time of up to several weeks or months. Recovery duration and cure is the main reason why surgery is often avoided.
Prevention:
There are certain factors that you must follow to prevent bunion from happening. You should avoid too much rolling inward of your foot during walking.
Excessive foot pronation also has a great link with bunions. You should avoid it. This can be done by wearing shoes that are supportive or are using arch supports. If none of the prevention works and you catch bunions, then you must consult with your doctor. The doctor will suggest custom orthotic shoe inserts especially for you.