Bunion
A bunion is a hard, bony bump that develops at the base joint of the big toe. The toe angles towards the other toes and may even overlap with them in severe instances.
This abnormal placing leads to the formation of a bulge on the side of the foot, which may be painful and brought about by pressure. Bunions can also be hereditary, a structural disorder of the foot, resulting from stress to the feet from ill-fitted shoes that push the toes out of the natural position.
Symptoms
- Bulging bump on the outside of your big toe.
- Swelling, redness, or soreness around the joint of your big toe.
- Persistent or intermittent pain.
- Restricted movement of your big toe if arthritis affects the toe. Corns or calluses.
In most cases, you would be able to manage a bunion and treat it non-surgically.
WHEN IS SURGERY NEEDED?
- The pain from the bunion is severe and limits your everyday activities, including walking and wearing reasonable shoes.
- There is marked foot deformity—leaning of the great toe toward the second toe, or even a large bony prominence.
- The big toe does not move as freely, and a person may experience problems wearing all types of shoes because of the bunion. Conservative treatments do not relieve pain.
The goals of bunion surgery are to correct the deformity and to relieve pain; improved function is optional.
Surgical procedures may include removal of swollen tissue around the joint and re-alignment of the bones of the big toe and bones of the foot.
The specific type of surgery depends on the severity of the bunion and the patient’s general health.
