Featured topics include: Amniotic Band Syndrome • Amniotic Band Syndrome • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions • Bunions and Hammertoes • Bunions and Hammertoes • Claw Toe • Claw Toe • Claw Toe • Claw Toe • Claw Toe • Claw Toe • Clubfoot • Clubfoot • Clubfoot • Clubfoot • Clubfoot • Clubfoot • Dysplasia (Epiphysealis Hemimelica) • Dysplasia (Epiphysealis Hemimelica) • Enchondroma • Enchondroma • Enchondroma • Enchondroma • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flat Feet • Flatfoot or Fallen Arch • Flatfoot or Fallen Arch • Gordon Syndrome • Gordon Syndrome • Haglund's Deformity • Haglund's Deformity • Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint) • Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint) • Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint) • Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint) • Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint) • Hallux Limitus (Stiff Big Toe Joint) • Hallux Limitus/Rigidus • Hallux Limitus/Rigidus • Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe) • Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe) • Hallux Varus • Hallux Varus • Hallux Varus • Hallux Varus • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Hammertoes • Jackson Weiss Syndrome • Jackson Weiss Syndrome • Mallet Toes • Mallet Toes • Mallet Toes • Mallet Toes • Metatarsalgia • Metatarsalgia • Osteochondromas • Osteochondromas • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infections) • Osteomyelitis (Bone Infections) • Overlapping or Underlapping Toes • Overlapping or Underlapping Toes • Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction • Peroneal Tendon Dislocation/Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction • Sesamoiditis • Sesamoiditis • Spurs • Spurs • Tarsal Coalition • Tarsal Coalition
Bunions
A bunion may just look like a bump on the side of your big toe joint, however it is more complex than that. Extra bone formation at the side of your joint is caused by an abnormal stress on the bone. While the big toe starts to move towards the second, the bone attached to the big toe is moving away from the second toe. This changes the position of the big toe joint and can lead to arthritis and pain with movement of this joint.
A bunion is progressive, which means it will get worse as you age. Orthotics are custom-made inserts which can help slow down the process but will not cure what is already formed of the bunion. The inserts slow down the process by controlling abnormal motion in your foot that is causing the formation of the bunion.
Other treatments for bunions used to decrease the amount of discomfort include wearing wider shoes to allow more room for the bunion, padding the bunion for cushioning, and anti-inflammatory medications. When these fail to alleviate enough of the discomfort, surgery can be performed. Most surgeries for correction of a bunion involve removing the bump (bone) and cutting and shifting the bone to allow for better joint alignment.