Bunions - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Tips
by Juliet Cohen
A bunion ( hallux valgus ) is a sometimes painful structural deformity of
the bones and the joint between the foot and big toe. The enlargement
actually represents additional bone formation, often in combination with a
misalignment of the big toe. The normal position of the big toe (straight
forward) becomes outward-directed toward the smaller toes. The enlarged
joint at the base of the big toe (the first metatarsophalangeal joint) can
become inflamed with redness, tenderness, and pain . A small fluid-filled
sac ( bursa ) adjacent to the joint can also become inflamed ( bursitis )
leading to additional swelling, redness, and pain. Bunions can occur for a
number of reasons, but a common cause is wearing shoes that fit too tightly.
They can also develop as a result of inherited structural defect, injury,
stress on your foot or another medical condition. Often, treatment involves
conservative steps that may include changing your shoes, padding your bunion
and wearing shoe inserts. Severe cases of bunions may require surgery to
relieve the pain. Some of the symptoms of bunions include inflammation,
swelling, and soreness on the side surface of the big toe. The discomfort
commonly causes a patient to walk improperly. Another type of bunion which
some individuals experience is called a Tailor's Bunion, also known as a
Bunionette. This forms on the outside of the foot towards the joint at the
little toe. It is a smaller bump that forms due to the little toe moving
inwards, towards the big toe.
A bunion is one problem that can develop due to hallux valgus, a foot
deformity. The term "hallux valgus" is Latin and means a turning outward (valgus)
of the big toe (hallux). Bunions result from inflammation and thickening of
the bursa (fluid-filled sac in the connective tissue) and cause abnormal
bone formation and misalignment of the toe. Bunions can be related to
inflammation or to degenerative disease (e.g., osteoarthritis). They cause
redness, tenderness, and pain, and alter the normal position of the first
toe. "Hallux abductovalgus" (HAV) is a term that refers to the hallux going
away (abducting) from the midline of the body and twisting so the inside
edge touches the ground and the outside edge turns upward. Essentially, this
term describes the deviation of the toe toward the outside of the foot.
Bunions worsen over time and cause discomfort, difficulty walking, and skin
problems such as corns and lesions.
Causes of Bunions
1. Family history of bunions.
2. In some cases, bunions can occur due to trauma or injury to the feet.
3. Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.
4. Genetic and neuromuscular diseases which can result in a muscular
imbalance such as Down's syndrome.
5. If one leg is longer then the other, the longer leg is more inclined to
develop a bunion.
6. The most important causative factor is poor fitting footwear. This
accounts for an higher incidence among women then men.
Symptoms of Bunions
1. A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe.
2. Pain or soreness.
3. Thickening of the skin at the base of your big toe.
4. Restricted movement of your big toe.
5. Persistent or intermittent pain.
6. A burning sensation
Treatment of Bunions
1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may
help to relieve pain.
2. Injection therapy. Although rarely used in bunion treatment, injections
of corticosteroids may be useful in treating the inflamed bursa
(fluid-filled sac located in a joint) sometimes seen with bunions.
3. Applying an ice pack several times a day helps reduce inflammation and
pain.
4. Avoid activity that causes bunion pain, including standing for long
periods of time.
5. Avoid high heeled shoes.
6. Apply a commercial bunion pad, making sure it is not too rigid or
medicated.
7. A Bunion Shield can reduce the pain over the bunion.
8. Apply a moisturizer such as flexitol heel balm twice daily to hard skin
or corns and use a pumice stone to reduce the thickness of the hard skin.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for
online medical clinic
and diseases treatment.
She also writes articles on
skin disorders.
Article Source:
http://www.earticlesonline.com
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