One of the most painful diseases of the foot is the bunion. It forms on the base of the toe, its joint with the foot precisely. It looks like a bony bump at the joint of the toe’s base. When this happens, the big toe pushes the next toe, this makes it bigger and it appears to stick out. The skin will look like a reddish sore.
Causes:
Many doctors disagree to the real cause of this disease. Some say that wearing tight fitting shoes for a long time is reason behind bunions. While others believe it may be a genetic disease due to weak foot bone structure. Some suggest that certain nerve conditions and old age may cause bunions. Bunions may also be result of arthritis. Generally, a woman gets affected with this disease due to wearing high heeled and pointed shoes. When side of big toe is pressured, making it turn inwards and sometimes under or over the other toes.
As a result, the tissues may become swollen. Now whenever the person moves the whole weight of the body falls on this joint resulting in excessive pains. There is one more form of bunion called bunionette. The only difference is this that bunionette is formed on the little toe. The formation of concentrated tissue buildup on the side and bottom of the little toe is the main symptom of bunionette.
Prevention
The only plausible prevention for this kind of ailment is wearing shoes that fit you well. Make sure the next time you go shopping for footwear, buy shoes that you feel comfortable in. Avoid wearing high heels and pointed shoes regularly. There are also some kinds of equipment like yoga toes available in the market that can prevent the formation of bunions.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this disease are:
- Appearance of a bulging bump on the joint of your toe
- Some red coloration and tenderness near the base of foot
- Thick mass formation at the joint of the toe
- The formation of corns and calluses
- Pain while walking leading to restricted movement
Cure:
Surgery:
If the condition of the patient is worsening day by day then best advice is to go for surgical treatment. In addition, before going for surgery a patient must consider different factors like age, his lifestyle, work conditions and sternness of the lump. The surgery involved in this condition can be of various types like osteotomy that involves removing the part of your toe that looks like a lump and is sore. Second is Excision (Keller’s) arthroplasty that involves removing the bunion and the bone part from the joint. It involves building of a false joint with the help of wires and which is removed after the tissues have healed.
Non – surgical method:
If the bunion is in initial stage, you can opt for many non-surgical methods by visiting a podiatrist. These are drugs or painkillers, ice packs that can soothe the pain, steroid injections and bunion pads. In addition, there is a device called orthotics that helps in realignment of the foot bones by reducing pressure on the bunion. Splints and toe spacers can further help in reducing the pain in initial stages.
Summary:
A bunion generally worsens with time so it is important to make changes in your footwear selection before it is too late.
