WHAT IS A BUNION?

A bunion or hallux abducto valgus deformity, is a common deformity of the foot which can result in pain and discomfort with even the most ordinary of daily activity. In this condition, the great toe joint becomes misaligned and creates a bony prominence on the side of the great toe. This "bump" may become red and painful, and ultimately movement of the joint becomes painful. Shoe may irritate the bunion, creating more pain and limiting activity.

The cause of this deformity is a complex biomechanical interaction of the foot's bony structure in combination with shoe gear. The condition is most common in women but does affect men. It is common in adults of all ages, but does affect young children. Cases of juvenile onset of bunion deformity tends to be much more severe than those of adult onset. To date, no medical research has proven how to prevent or reverse this condition once it has formed. In both juvenile and adult varieties, the bunion deformity will progress over time and may cause damage to the cartilage joint.

The first line of treatment for bunion deformities a change in shoe gear to accommodate the wider forefoot and prominent great toe joint. Your doctor may prescribe some medication to help control inflammation, especially in cases where there has been cartilage damage. If these efforts fail to relieve the pain, the doctor may suggest a surgical procedure to correct the deformity. Surgical procedures are quite variable, and depend on the severity of the deformity. In some of the early deformities which have not developed severe bony changes, the procedure may involve simply removing some of the bony prominence. If the deformity has progressed to a point in which simple bone resection will not be adequate to relieve the pain, the bones of the great toe joint may require an osteotomy (which involves cutting and repositioning the bones of the great toe joint), with a small pin or screw to help hold the bone in a corrected position. It is best to consult your doctor to discuss all of these treatment options in depth.