A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a foot deformity that slowly grows as a bony bump on the side of your foot, near the bottom of your big toe. This common foot problem affects up to 33% of Americans, with a higher incidence in older adults.
For a bunion to form, your big toe curves out of alignment and pushes toward your other toes. As your big toe continues to lean over, the change forces the base of the toe outward, against the first metatarsal bone of your foot.
The bunion forms at the metatarsophalangeal joint, where your foot and big toe meet. This is the joint that bends when you walk. With each step, the weight of your body lands on the bunion instead of your toe, causing pain and limiting mobility. The visible misalignment can also cause embarrassment when baring your feet.
Podiatrists Andrew Bernhard, DPM and Kaitlyn Bernhard, DPM help patients identify and treat bunions before they cause pain and dysfunction. Our team at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists in State College, Pennsylvania has the expertise necessary to address bunions as early as possible to improve appearance and maintain normal movement.
Since bunions usually cause increasing pain and disfigurement as they grow, you may not realize you have one until you experience these symptoms. Find out whether you’re at risk of developing bunions and what you can do to preserve your foot health.
You are more susceptible to developing bunions if you have an abnormal foot shape or structure. They can also occur if you have an uneven or abnormal gait, or manner of walking. Bunions tend to run in families because some physical characteristics, such as the bone structure of your foot, are hereditary.
When you have faulty foot structure, whether from genetics or an injury, you can exert pressure on and within the foot when you walk. This pressure can result in bone deformities like bunions.
You may have a higher risk of developing bunions if you have one or more of the following characteristics:
A shoe with a narrow toe box or a high heel can manipulate your foot into an unnatural position. It can also force all your body’s weight into the front of the shoe. While it doesn’t cause bunions directly, ill-fitting footwear can worsen underlying structural problems and make it easier for bunions to develop if you’re already susceptible to them.
Bunions develop 10 times more often in women than men. This may be due to women being more likely to wear pointed-toe high heels.
Certain medical conditions can cause physical changes in your bones and joints that affect their alignment. This can also change the way your body distributes your weight when you walk.
Having one of the following diseases can make you more susceptible to developing a bunion:
While bunions can’t be reversed, several types of conservative treatment can be effective in relieving pain and restoring normal movement. The goal of these therapies is to reposition the foot in a more normal alignment and reduce pain and inflammation.
You may benefit from one or more of the following treatments for bunions:
If you don’t achieve relief with such treatments, bunion surgery may be appropriate. There are several techniques to removing a bunion. Most approaches involve a bunionectomy, which removes the part of the bone that protrudes.
If you have a family history of bunions or your foot shows signs of a bunion, getting an early diagnosis may help prevent permanent damage. To find out more, schedule an appointment at Tussey Mountain Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling our friendly staff or booking online.
