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 5th 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.
The condition is often caused by a combination of factors, including:
- Genetic history
- Pronated or Flat feet
- Poor, tight or unsupportive footwear
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Congenital deformities
- Trauma
- Neuromuscular disease
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.
Signs and Symptoms of bunions
Signs and symptoms of bunions may include:
- A visible bump, which can become more pronounced over time
- Swelling and redness around the joint
- Pain and tenderness (worst when wearing tight pointed shoes)
- Callus formation at the bottom of the joint or corn at the top
- Stiffness and restrictions of range of motion
- Difficulty finding comfortable shoes
What can be done about 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.
Bunion Treatments
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
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.
