What are bunions?
Bunions are one of the most common forefoot deformities. They are painful enlargements that develop on the inside of the foot at the base of the great toe. The enlargement is actually a bone that protrudes outwards and causes swelling and soreness at the base of the great toe. They are also referred to as hallux valgus. Consult your CuraFoot doctor for a thorough diagnosis.
What causes bunions?
Bunions develop slowly over a period of time and are more commonly seen in women. The two most common causes are:
- Women who wear narrow toed shoes For eg: Shoes which have a V shaped toe-box squeeze the forefoot together and this over a period of time leads to the big toe to bend over
- People with pronated feet or flat feet tend to roll inwards when they walk. This results in increased pressure over the ball of the great toe which forces the great toe to bend towards the other toes over a period of time.
Symptoms can include
- A painful bump on the outside of the base of the big or little toe
- Redness and swelling of the big toe joint
- A burning sensation
- A thickening of the skin at the bunion area
- Corns or callus development where the toes overlap
- With continued movement of the big toe towards the second toe, it is common to find the big toe resting below the second toe. This condition is known as a Crossover toe
How to help prevent bunions and relieve bunion pain?
- Painful bunions can be treated by using CuraFoot Toe Spreaders with Bunion Sleeves. They prevent crossing over of the toes and friction at the bony bump.
- Avoid wearing narrow toed shoes. Shoes with a wide toe box that can accommodate the forefoot comfortably should be worn.
- Wearing correct socks can help reduce bunion pain. Socks help in two ways. First by reducing friction on the bunion and the second by providing adequate cushioning. Cotton is a poor choice for people with bunions because of high friction.
- Bunion Splint may be used at night to prevent the first toe and second toe from pushing against each other. This reduces pressure between the toes.
- Bunions should be iced for 10 minutes each evening.
- Topical pain reliever may be taken during the day.
- CuraFoot’s proprietary Arch Support Orthotics which supports the arch and prevents the foot from rolling inwards may be worn. This causes less pressure on the ball of the great toe and prevents progression of the deformity.
However all this will not correct the existing deformity but decrease the rate of further progression. Even after these if the deformity continues to increase and grow, surgery may be needed.
More about bunions and big toe conditions
Bunions and big toe joint problems are among the most common foot and toe conditions affecting patients. In most cases it is possible to achieve pain relief using non-surgical treatment. If you are experiencing any discoloration, pain, swelling, numbness or other problems associated with your great toe or bunions on either side of your foot, contact CuraFoot Clinic for an appointment.
Common problems affecting the big toe joint include:
Bunions
Bunions are an enlargement of the big toe joint and can cause pain – whether from shoe pressure or the damage occurring within the joint. CuraFoot’s goal when treating bunions is to eliminate pain and stop or slow the growth of the bunion. Most bunion pain can be treated without surgery.
You should see a specialist at CuraFoot for treatment options if you have bunions. To slow or stop the bunion from getting bigger, you many need specialist treatment and support. Custom orthotics designed specifically for the patient’s condition have been shown to reduce bunions.
Hallux Limitus
Hallux Limitus is pain in the big toe joint. Due to abnormal foot mechanics sometimes the big toe joint doesn’t move as it should when you walk – this could cause Hallux Limitus.
In the long run, if Hallux Limitus is not treated, it could result in arthritis of the big toe joint. Pain in the big toe joint is a sign of ongoing damage and you should not ignore the pain.
Hallux Rigidus
Hallux Rigidus is big toe joint arthritis and can lead to significant pain and discomfort while walking.
Numb Big Toe
Numbness in toes maybe caused by nerve damage due to diseases. However, most cases of numbness are actually caused by biomechanical conditions that put pressure on the nerves by the side of your foot. This can be easily remedied/treated, and sensation restored, if the pressure is due to physical stress.
Sprain of the big toe is also common among those who play sports like football. This should be evaluated and treated early to prevent long term problems. If you have an injury of this type, please contact CuraFoot Clinic for an appointment and get treated soon.
Tailor’s Bunion
Also known as a bunionette, instead of being a big toe issue, it’s a bunion at the little toe joint that forms on the outside of the foot. The condition is named after tailors because they commonly developed them from their work posture but today can be caused by too-narrow shoes rubbing and causing pressure.
12 Step Plan for Natural Bunion Pain Relief
- Use an arch support in your shoes. This will act to transfer force off of the area of the bunion. OTC arch supports will not work as well as a quality custom orthotic, but will help.
- Instead of slippers, use a sandal with an arch support to wear around the house. This will act to decrease pressure on your big toe joint.
- Use a Toe Spreader when you are wearing your slippers.
- Wearing the correct socks can help reduce bunion pain. Socks help in two ways. First by reducing friction on the bunion and second by providing cushion. Cotton is a poor choice for people with bunions because of high friction.
- Use a pad over the bunion deformity.
- Use a separator between your first and second toes to prevent them from abutting against each other. The best separators are made of silicone..
- Use a Bunion Splint at night to prevent the first toe and second toe from pushing against each other. These reduce pressure between the toes.
- Ice the bunion for 10 minutes each evening.
- Use a topical pain reliever during the day.
- Buy the right shoes. A good shoe fitter will not only lead you to the best fitting shoes, but can often modify the shoe to fit difficult to fit feet.
- Stretch your shoes over the bunion deformity.
- For very large bunions use a stretchable shoe: It stretches to conform to the contours of the foot, accommodating foot deformities, and eliminating pressure on bunions and other prominences. Provides exceptional comfort for feet with bunions, tailor’s bunions, hammertoes and bony prominences.
