Bunions or “Hallux Valgus”

What are bunions?

Bunions, medically referred to as Hallux Abducto-Valgus, refers to the destruction, enlargement and deformation of the first metatarso-phalageal joint. The enlarged ‘bump’ is due to the change of the structure of the affected bone and joint.

Bunions often cause pain, tenderness, redness, deformation of the joint. It can prevent people from finding shoes wide enough and this usually leads to people painfully ‘squeezing’ into their shoes, aggravating everything further.

In severe cases, bunions can also cause the first and second toes to overlap each other and this in turn causes further issues such as clawed second digits, arthritis and corns.

Bunions that occur on the 5^th metatarso-phalangeal joint are exactly the same. These are referred to loosely as a ‘tailor’s bunion’.

What causes bunions?

Bunions occur in both males and females.

Some factors that increase your risk of developing bunions include:

• Genetic history
• Pronated or Flat feet
• Poor, tight or unsupportive footwear
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Congenital deformities
• Trauma
• Neuromuscular diseases

However most cases we see at Elite Podiatry involve an abnormality in the patients foot function.

As bunions are a form of arthritis, that is they degenerate over time, they frequently become worse with age. Therefore it is highly recommended by the podiatrists at Elite Podiatry to have your gait and lower limb biomechanics assessed.

How to prevent bunions?

Unfortunately once a bunion forms, there is no way to completely resolve or ‘cure’ it. Once the damage is done, it is irreversible without surgery. However, there are a number of treatments available that we can do to help relieve symptoms and assist to slow (even limiting) its progression. Be assured that this is a very common condition that we treat on a daily basis and have a high success rate in doing so. If surgery is required, then the podiatrists at Elite Podiatryhave a selection of the most experienced foot and ankle specialist surgeons we can refer you to.

Bunion treatment

At Elite Podiatry, we use a variety of treatments including:

• Gait and Biomechanical assessment
• Orthotics and Insoles
• Trigger Point Therapy and Dry Needling
• Joint Mobilisations
• Muscle Energy Techniques
• Footwear Assessment

At Elite Podiatry we have mastered advanced techniques that help us identify, diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis and its associated complications effectively with a high success rate. We have a range of treatments available to help relieve and prevent such conditions and improve your quality of life. At Elite Podiatry, we often use adjunct therapies to offer the most effective form of treatment. Depending on your requirements, we will customise a treatment suitable to your needs. Please call us at Elite Podiatry to organise an appointment for an assessment, diagnosis and treatment.