Bunion/ Bunions Treatment/ Bunion Pain : Information Guide

Everything you need to know about bunions, causes, symptoms and the best treatment to help you walk pain free.

The medical name for a bunion is a hallux valgus (deformed toe), bunions are found on the big toe and is a hard boney swelling from the base of the big toe.

Women are more likely to develop a bunion a third more cases are women rather than men. Some people inherit their bunion but the majority of bunions are caused by poor or tight shoe fitting.

What does a bunion look like?

Bunions are pretty easy to recognise, the big toe becomes angled inwards towards the smaller toes, forcing the second toe upwards and this can cross over towards the big toe, this is called a hammer toe.

The base of the big toe sticks out and a bunion is formed which because of the angle can become swollen, sore and inflamed, a callous or corn is common and most bunions are red in appearance.

Bunion Symptoms

Bunions can be very painful or to the extreme when the movement has stopped totally pain free.

The Base of the big toe has a hardened lump and is often swollen and red. Rough hard skin caused by friction is shoes may appear which can cause a corn or a ulcer if not protected.

Walking may become painful especially in tight narrow shoes, sandles are the best foot wear for women but of cause becomes tricky in winter. The foot becomes much wider at the toe end and looks deformed and no longer its normal appearance and buying footwear is difficult.

　Treatment for bunions

Bunion pads

These are gel or foam made shields that are placed over the bunion joint the protect and prevent friction and callous formation. Generally the bunion shields have a loop which you hook over the big toe to hold in position. Compeed plasters are also pretty helpful when trying to protect swollen bunion joints these gel lined plasters are extra think and stick well.

For early stages of bunion movement a toe prop made of gel is an excellent choice these wedges are placed between the big toe and second toe to create a natural position easing the big toe back to its natural position.

I personal favour these over the bunion shields if the bunion has got a painful corn or ulcer.

　

Surgery

The only corrective treatment for bunions is surgery and if your pain is severe and foot wear impossible your doctor may refer you to the hospital.

Many Consultants see this procedure as a cosmetic one causing many patients with serious foot pain to be turned away or pay privately for the operation. But if the consultant feels for medical reasons corrective surgery is applicable you may elect to straighten your big toe. The success rate is between 85-90% (NHS Figures) but I must stress that this operation does not guarantee your big toe to be perfectly straight or pain free.

Complications include, stiffness, arthritis, nerve damage, infection, bunion re-occurring, pain.

The operation involves the boney lump to be removed and the bones within the toe to be realigned, normally done as a day case you will be home fast.

　

Alternative Treatments

Podiatry professionals recommend that the bunion joint be kept healthy and to prevent pain they use industry foot creams that are specifically designed to prevent inflammation, stop infections and callous formation corns and ulcers.

Fusskraft Red is my choice which is also contains a warming effect which eases tired aching toe joints and gently warms the bones and is a good choice for arthritic feet. Although this does not stop a bunion movement keeping the toe joint health and relaxed stops the daily throbbing from the joint.

Zara Butti MCFHP MAFHP is a Professional Foot Health Leader who`s online foot health store has been helping feet worldwide since 2007. Buy products that are available to the podiatry industry saving 15% immediately when you sign up for the manky feet newsletter.

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