| What are bunions? | | | | - Swelling over the big toe joint |
| A bunion is inflammation of the soft tissues around | | | | - Difficulty in walking |
| the outer edge of the big toe at the joint where it is | | | | - If osteoarthritis is the underlying cause, there may |
| attached to the foot. The medical term for this type | | | | also be pain in the joint, made worse by |
| of inflammation is 'bursitis' and refers to the bursa or | | | | non-supportive footwear |
| sac near the joint. Bunions are associated with | | | | How do doctors recognise bunions? |
| various diseases of the joints including osteoarthritis | | | | The diagnosis is made simply by the history of the |
| and rheumatoid arthritis but usually there is no | | | | complaint and a clinical examination of the toe. An |
| obvious underlying illness. | | | | X-ray may be taken to confirm this. |
| What causes bunions and who is at risk? | | | | What is the treatment for bunions? |
| A bunion occurs as a result of a deformity in the big | | | | Hallux valgus is often preventable and treatable by |
| toe known as 'hallux valgus'. This is when the bone | | | | wearing well-fitting footwear. |
| inside the foot which joins the big toe becomes | | | | Self-care action plan |
| displaced outwards and the joint rubs against the | | | | - Wear well-fitting shoes |
| inside of footwear. | | | | - Avoid high-heeled or tight shoes |
| Hallux valgus, and bunions, occur almost exclusively in | | | | - Get advice from a podiatrist on footwear |
| women. This may be because unknown genetic and | | | | - Padding over the bunion may help |
| anatomical factors predispose women to developing | | | | Medicines |
| the condition, but is probably because women tend | | | | Painkillers such as paracetamol or the non-steroidal |
| to wear ill-fitting shoes. High-heeled shoes, for | | | | anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen, will often help |
| example, put abnormal strains on the bones and | | | | relieve the pain and inflammation. However, they will |
| muscles of the foot, and shoes which are tight | | | | not reverse the progression of the condition and |
| around the foot force the big toe into a hallux valgus | | | | should only be considered as temporary relief while |
| position. Once in this position, the big toe joint will rub | | | | adequate footwear is tried. |
| against the inside of the tight, ill-fitting shoe causing | | | | Surgery |
| inflammation in the bursal sac: bursitis or bunion. | | | | If a change in footwear does not help, you may |
| Hallux valgus is much more common with increasing | | | | referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. The most |
| age, although it may occur in the young, but as hallux | | | | common operation performed for bunions is called an |
| valgus increases with age so does the development | | | | excision arthroplasty. The surgeon will cut way the |
| of bunions. | | | | part of the big toe joint that is sticking out and |
| Hallux valgus occurs commonly in osteoarthritis which | | | | causing the trouble. |
| is due to wear and tear of the joints. As a result of | | | | What is the outcome of having bunions? |
| disease in the joint, the big toe can more easily | | | | Bunions are so easily prevented and treated by |
| become hallux valgus. | | | | wearing appropriate footwear that, in the absence of |
| What are the common symptoms and complications | | | | an underlying condition such as osteoarthritis, they |
| of bunions? | | | | should rarely require surgery. If a hallux valgus |
| - Pain | | | | deformity does require surgery however, the |
| - Redness around the big toe joint | | | | operation is very successful. |