Hallux valgus
A bunion is a bonydeformity of the joint at the base of the big toe.The medical name is hallux valgus.
The main sign of a bunion is the big toe pointing towards the other toes on the same foot, which may force the foot boneattached toit (the first metatarsal) to stick outwards.
Other symptoms may include:
These symptoms can sometimes get worse if the bunion is left untreated, so it's best to see a GP. They'll ask you about your symptoms and examine your foot. In some cases, an X-ray may be recommended to assess the severity of your bunion.
Anyone can develop a bunion, but they're more common in women than men. This may be because of the style of footwear that women wear.
The exact cause ofbunions is unknown, but they tend to run in families.Wearing badly fitting shoes is thought to make bunions worse.
It's alsothought that bunions are more likely to occur in people with unusually flexible joints, which is why bunions sometimes occur in children.
In some cases, certain health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout , may also be responsible.
Non-surgical treatments are usually tried first, including painkillers, orthotics (insoles) and bunion pads.
However, these can only help to reduce the symptoms of bunions, such as pain. They don't improve the appearance of your foot.
Surgery may be considered if your symptoms are severe and don't respond to non-surgical treatments. The type of surgery will depend on the level of deformity, the severity of your symptoms, your age, and any other associated medical conditions.
For example, they can cause arthritis inyour big toe and pushyour second toe out of place.
Problemscan also develop after bunion surgery. While surgery is usually effective (symptoms are improved in 85% of cases), bunions can sometimes return.
In less than 10% of cases, complications occur after bunion surgery. These will depend on the type of surgery you have and can include:
Shoes that are too tight or have high heels can force your toes together.Bunions are rare in populations that dont wear shoes.
Make sure your shoes are the correct size and that there's enough room to move your toes freely.It's best to avoid wearing shoes with high heels or pointy toes.
A bunion is a bony deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe.
A bunion is the result of a deformity in the joint of your big toe. It is not clear exactly why this happens.
Bunions may only need to be treated if the deformity is severe and you experience significant pain and discomfort.
Bunion surgery can sometimes cause further problems, as can leaving bunions untreated.
Jo Burland, a teacher from Finchley, north London, was 15 when she first noticed some bumps had appeared on her feet. At the age of 34, she had an osteotomy.