Bunion (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion is a common foot deformity & often described as a bump on the medial side of big toe due to changes in the foot bone structure. The big toe leans toward the 2nd toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment—producing the bunion’s bump. Bunions are a progressive disorder and begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over time and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which becomes increasingly prominent. Bunion symptoms usually appear at later stages, which include big toe joint pain or soreness, inflammation and redness, a burning sensation and numbness. However some people with bunions never have these symptoms. Because bunions are progressive, they do not go away and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike—some bunions progress more rapidly than others.

23% of people between 18-65 years old have bunion
36% of people over 65 years have bunion
About 75% of bunion patients are female

Bunion Causes：

Inherited faulty foot biomechanical structure
Wearing shoes with a tight toe box or high heel

As shown here, bunion can be graded into 0-3 scales: No bunion (0), Mild bunion (1)，Moderate bunion (2)，Severe bunion (3)

Nonsurgical Treatment is aimed at easing the pain, increasing the mobility and slowing down the bunion progression. Ultimately to avoid bunion surgery in the future.

Nonsurgical Treatment：

Changes in shoewear
Use foot orthotics
Foot exercise to strengthen foot muscles
Icing or anti-inflammatory medications

If nonsurgical treatments fail to relieve bunion pain & when the bunion pain interferes with daily activities, it’s time to discuss surgical options with a doctor.

A variety of surgical procedures is available to treat bunions, which are designed to remove the bump of bone, correct the changes in the bony structure of the foot and correct soft tissue changes that may also have occurred. The goal of surgery is the reduction of pain and deformity.

FAQ

Is my bunion inherited from my mom？

It is not the bunion itself that is inherited but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion.

Is my bunion getting worse when I get older？

Yes, bunion is a progressive foot deformity.

Is the bunion correctors purchased online good？

Those products will more likely ease the pain caused by bunion. In most cases, they will not reverse a bunion.

How to avoid bunion surgery ?

Starting early with nonsurgical treatments for your bunion is the best way to postpone or avoid bunion surgery in the future.

How long to recover from a bunion surgery？

2-6 weeks.

Will my bunion come back after surgery ？

A bunion can re-occur for some people after surgery.

Foot Orthotics for Bunion

Bunion-friendly Shoes