Bunion / Bunion Surgery

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What is a Bunion?

Bunion, derived from the latin word bunio meaning turnip, forms slowly over time when the big toe is repeatedly forced to bend toward the second toe. This "stretching" of the tendons, joints, and muscles surrounding the big toe results in a permanent angulation of the bone. The bony bump that is referred to as "the" bunion, is actually the bone's protrusion at the base of the toe.

Bunion Causes

Although most think that bunion causes are genetic, the truth is that heredity amounts for less than 3% of those who develop bunions. The remaining bunion sufferers typically develop bunions due to poor choices in footwear. That's right, wearing shoes that are smaller than your natural foot size is the leading cause of bunions.

Skeptics may believe that bunions are genetically passed from generation to generation, however, it's more likely that the only things passed were a common foot structure that may be prone to bunions and the habit of wearing restrictive footwear.

Bunion Symptoms

Bunion symptoms vary, but most often include:

- the appearance of a bulging bump at the base of the big toe (or at the base of the little toe in the case of tailor's bunion)

- pain, redness and tenderness at the base of the big toe.

- joint swelling or soreness of the big toe

- corns and calluses caused by the first and big toe overlapping

- restricted movement of the big toe

Bunion Diagnosis

Bunion diagnosis most often occurs through visual exam, although a doctor may perform an x-ray to determine the severity of the toe's misalignment and whether or not any underlying conditions exist, such as gout or arthritis.

Bunion Treatment

In the early stages, bunion treatment can be as simple as relaxing the pulling of the tendons, muscles and joints of the big toe. Additional bunion treatments may include:

- avoiding tight fitting shoes that pinch the toes together.

- icing the inflamed area several times a day to reduce swelling and pain.

- resting the feet to avoid putting unnecessary pressure that may be caused by walking, running, etc.

- wearing a bunion splint, bunion padding or other orthotic devices while the foot rests (such as during sleeping hours) may help with the realignment of the toe.

In addition, using anti-inflammatory medications (such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen) in conjunction with the steps above may also serve as bunion treatment.

Bunion Surgery

Bunion surgery may be required if symptoms and pain persist and the bunion treatments mentioned above do not yield positive results. Performed by a podiatrist, bunion surgery consists of simply removing the bony growth that is causing the pain, correcting any tissue changes that have occurred, and realigning the big toe.