Bunion Treatment
Bunions are very common and affect people all ages.They present as a bump on side or top of the big toe joint. The true medical terminology is “hallux abductovalgus”. They form when the 1st metatarsal, the most medial long bone of the foot, diverges inwards and the big toe diverges outwards in the direction of the 2nd toe. This results in a bump deformity at the joint formed by the two bones. The divergence is often caused by a biomechancal instability in the medial column of the foot or direct pressure on the joint due to inappropriate footwear. The bump may also be due to a bursa (fluid filled sac) that forms across the joint in response to the pressure and friction. 
Bunions have the ability to cause great pain due altered joint mechanics and alignment, inflammation of surrounding soft and connective tissue, impingement of nerves and spasming of muscles in the area. If ignored the bump will most likely grow, increasing the intensity of symptoms. They can also be painless and many patients seek medical intervention to prevent the development of symptoms, for cosmetic reasons or due to difficulty finding footwear.
Bunions are best diagnosed by your Podiatrist. They will assist optimal management via advice on footwear, correction of biomechanical problems with orthotics, joint mobilisation to relieve pain and improve movement, debriding the calluses that builds up around a bunion and education on footwear to help reduce pain in the joint as well as getting the correct fit. Treatment can prevent or slow the progression of a bunion and can relieve symptoms. The deformity can only be corrected by surgery, which we wish to avoid unless it interfering with daily function, however some patients choose it for cosmetic reasons. There are multiple options for surgery and these can be explained in detail by your podiatrist.
If you’re living or working in Mirrabooka, Westminster, Nollamara and Noranda call Chesterfield Podiatry today if you’d like to know more about Bunions and what we can do to help!