Bunions: Types & Treatment
What is a Bunion?
A bunion is a deformity of the big toe, also known as the “hallux.” Often referred to as “hallux valgus,” bunions are bony, painful bumps that appear at the joint where the hallux connects to the foot.
Bunion types can range from annoying to severely impacting your life. The foot and ankle specialists at Seaview Orthopaedics offer high-quality care to treat your bunions and restore your quality of life.
Types of Bunions?
There are three types of bunions: mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild Bunion
- Characterized by a small bump at the medial eminence, the part of the foot where the inside edge of the big toe is joined to the foot.
- Can become irritated and red, especially when wearing inappropriate shoes.
- Generally do not hurt all the time.
- Without treatment is likely to worsen.
Moderate Bunion
- Features more prominent bump at the medial eminence that hurts more often, becomes red and inflamed more often, and usually doesn’t fit comfortably into as many shoes as you might want.
Severe Bunion
- Features a large bump at the medial eminence.
- Often characterized by a big toe that has begun shifting or twisting, even moving under the second toe.
- Often limits choice of footwear and activities.
Causes & Risk Factors
There are many theories as to what causes bunions to form, but no one knows for sure. Foot injuries, overuse, repeated stress from high-impact activities, overpronation, and hypermobility have been linked to the development of bunions. Genetics and the use of inappropriate shoewear may also increase your risk.
Genetics
If you have bunions, chances are high that a close family member also has them. This is typically a parent, but you may also recall a grandparent with “ugly” feet, indicating a direct line of genetic inheritance.
Shoes
In a 2014 study, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society found that 88% of women wore inappropriate shoes, whether the wrong size or a shape and style that is problematic to foot health.
It’s not clear if poor footwear can cause bunions on their own, but they are believed to complicate or advance existing issues, especially in someone who is already susceptible to bunions.
Congenital Bunions
Bunions are typically rare in children and teenagers. Some kids, however, develop symptomatic bunions that require treatment. These are congenital bunions, existing from birth, or adolescent bunions, which often appear between the ages of 10 and 15.
How Bunions are Treated
Treatment for bunions often starts off with modifications to the patient’s lifestyle and behavior, including:
- Selecting appropriate shoes that are wide enough to fit the forefront of your foot.
- Switching to lower-impact activities over high-impact alternatives.
When a bunion begins to hurt regularly, regardless of shoe choice or activity, surgery may be needed.
Surgical Bunion Treatment
There are over a hundred different described bunion correction surgeries in medical literature. Not all surgeries work for all bunions, and certain bunions will require specialized surgeries to address them.
As long as the right procedure is chosen for your bunion, surgical bunion treatments can correct a bunion deformity, realign the foot, and prevent arthritis in the joint.
Can Bunions Be Prevented?
Preventative measures that can help bunions from worsening or becoming symptomatic.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent bunions is to wear well-fitting, appropriate shoes for every activity. Shoes should have a toe box that is wide enough for the foot to fit comfortably, good arch support, and enough cushioning to support the foot and body well. High heels and shoes with little to no support should be avoided.
Other ways to prevent bunions and their symptoms are:
- Limit high-impact activity such as running.
- Cushion the bunion to reduce pain.
- If overweight, lose weight to reduce the pressure on your feet.
When to See a Doctor About Bunions
The right time to fix a bunion is when it begins to impact your daily life. Constant pain indicates that the joint is out of place and starting to become arthritic. Correcting the bunion before arthritis worsens can help to ensure that you do not experience ongoing arthritis pain.
Schedule an Appointment with our Seaview Orthopaedics Foot & Ankle Specialists in NJ
At Seaview Orthopaedic & Medical Associates, we have provided quality orthopedic care for over 40 years. Our patients’ total experience with our practice is our number one priority. If you have been suffering from any kind of foot and ankle pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist at one of our six orthopedic clinics throughout NJ.
Meet Dr. Aron Green
Dr. Green specializes in all aspects of care of the foot and ankle including total ankle arthroplasty, post traumatic and congenital reconstruction, reconstruction of acquired deformities, sports injuries, and diabetic/rheumatologic foot care.