Bunions Aren’t Fun

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The word itself may sound a little silly, but the condition is not. It is aggravating, may become extremely painful and change the way you live your life.

A bunion is a deformity of the big toe joint. As the joint enlarges it forces the toe out of alignment and pushes it toward the second toe. The bony protrusion at the base of the big toe then becomes a point of friction and pressure as the area rubs against shoes. This condition can be very painful, and sometimes lead to other conditions like hammertoes. The dynamics of taking a step transfers the weight distribution from heel through arch and mid-foot to the ball of the foot, which then flexes to push off for the next step. Since the joint of the big toe is in use with every step, the enlargement continues, pain worsens and can lead to other conditions such as arthritis or bursitis.

Inappropriate shoes are believed to be a major cause of bunions. Shoes that are too narrow or have a poorly shaped toe box that squeezes the foot are poor choices. Approximately one-third of the western population is affected by bunions and women are affected more often than men.

Early symptoms to look for include:

•    Red and calloused skin on the inside edge of big toe joint

•    Pain and pressure from shoes makes it worse

•    Formation of a bony bump at the side base of the big toe

•    Big toe begins to angle toward other toes

In many instances, with proper home treatment, symptoms may be relieved. Further intervention is not required, but since a bunion is a deformity, it will not entirely disappear. Therefore, it is important to avoid wearing confining shoes that cause pressure on the affected area.

Home treatment suggestions include:

•    Wide toed shoes that accommodate the deformity

•    Foam or felt padding that protects the bunion

•    Orthotic devices to help position the joint correctly for mobility

•    Specific exercises to prevent stiffening of the joint

•    Nighttime splints to help align toes and joint

If conservative methods do not bring pain relief, you may be a candidate for surgery, but Dr. Boucher will need to determine your exact course of treatment and discuss it with you. There is no magic or sudden cure for bunions and recovery can be a lengthy process. Your treatment will depend on the size and degree of misalignment along with severity of pain.

Seek treatment early for bunions and other foot conditions, especially if you have diabetes. Call Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668 for an appointment. She wants you to be able to live pain free.
 
References:

http://www.centralctfootcare.com/library/1776/Bunions.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002211/

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today! Copies will be sent to Connecticut residents only.

Related articles

• Alicia Ciccone: How High Heels Ruined My Feet (And I'm Only 24) (huffingtonpost.com)
• Health Tip: Is That Bump a Bunion? (nlm.nih.gov)
• FootSmart Bunion Sleeve with Gel - Product of the Day (wholesome.it)

Tailor's Bunion

Tailor's bunion, also called a bunionette, is an enlargement of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe. The metatarsals are the five long bones of the foot. The enlargement that characterizes a tailor's bunion occurs at the metatarsal "head," located at the far end of the bone where it meets the toe. Tailor's bunions are not as common as bunions, which occur on the inside of the foot, but both are similar in symptoms and causes.
The symptoms of tailor's bunions include redness, swelling, and pain at the site of the enlargement. These symptoms occur when wearing shoes that rub against the enlargement, irritating the soft tissues underneath the skin and producing inflammation.
Why do we call it "tailor's bunion"? The deformity received its name centuries ago, when tailors sat cross-legged all day with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on the ground. This constant rubbing led to a painful bump at the base of the little toe.
Often a tailor's bunion is caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. In these cases, changes occur in the foot's bony framework that result in the development of an enlargement. The fifth metatarsal bone starts to protrude outward, while the little toe moves inward. This shift creates a bump on the outside of the foot that becomes irritated whenever a shoe presses against it.
Sometimes a tailor's bunion is actually a bony spur (an outgrowth of bone) on the side of the fifth metatarsal head. Heredity is the main reason that these spurs develop.
Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of a tailor's bunion are usually aggravated by wearing shoes that are too narrow in the toe, producing constant rubbing and pressure. In fact, wearing shoes with a tight toe box can make the deformity get progressively worse.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" Today!