Bunions
Bunions are large bumps on the inside of the foot, at the joint just below the big toe (the 1st metatarso-phalangeal joint). Bunions are usually a combination of abnormal bone growth and a swollen bursal sac (soft tissue fluid sac).
Bunions often cause the big toe to deviate towards the outside of the foot, sometimes causing the 2nd toe to lift up and sit on top of the big toe.
Development of bunions is influenced by genetics, abnormal foot function and footwear. Whilst footwear is not the single greatest cause of bunions, it will exacerbate any genetic and/or biomechanical influences you have.
Bunions are often not painful on their own. Footwear and abnormal foot function are usually the cause of pain associated with bunions. These influences can be addressed by your Podiatrist.
Surgical correction/removal of bunions can be performed by an orthopaedic surgeon. This may be sought due to aesthetics or due to the bunion not allowing normal function of the associated joint. Bunion surgery is often painful and has a long recovery time. Moreover, bunions can reoccur even after surgery.
Your Podiatrist can discuss common implications of surgery, how they can aid in recovery, and advise on surgeons who commonly perform such procedures.
A Taylor’s Bunion, or Bunionette, forms on the outside of the foot at the 5th metatraso-phalangeal joint (just below the little toe). The causes and implications of a Taylor’s bunion are similar to above, although far fewer require surgical treatment.
