Bunion - Symptom, picture, Causes, Treatment of Bunion

Bunion is a deformity of the head (far end) of the bone called the first metatarsal on the inside edge of the fore-foot where it joins the big toe. Bunion regional anesthetic that affects only the foot is commonly used for bunion surgery. A sedative may also be used during the procedure. The big toe is pushed towards the other toes and the joint protrudes on the inner side of the foot.

Bunions are more common in women than men and generally affect both feet. They usually develop as a result of long-term sideways pressure on the big toe from tight-fitting shoes. Bunion repairs are usually done on an outpatient basis.

Causes of Bunion

There are many causes of bunions, but the primary one is tight, ill-fitting shoes, shoes that constrict the forefoot over a long period of time. High heels and constricting forefoot shoe gear are the primary causes of Hallux Valgus. Other possible causes of bunions are leg-length discrepancies, with the bunion present on the longer leg, and trauma occurring to the joint of the big toe.

Here is the list of some of the common causes of bunion:

• The most important causative factor is poor fitting footwear. This accounts for an higher incidence among women then men.
• Family history of bunions
• Abnormal foot function, excessive pronation. If a chiropodist/ podiatrist uses this term he is referring to excessive rolling in of the foot at the ankle joint while you are walking.
• Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis.
• Genetic and neuromuscular diseases which can result in a muscular imbalance such as Down's syndrome.
• If one leg is longer then the other, the longer leg is more inclined to develop a bunion.
• If the ligaments in the feet are very weak.
• In some cases, bunions can occur due to trauma or injury to the feet

Symptoms of Bunion

Symptoms include redness, swelling and pain which may be present along the inside margin of the foot. A bunion is more common in women than men due to women wearing tighter fitting shoes. This condition can cause a variety of different soft tissue and bony complaints which may result in severe pain. In the early stages, protecting the joint with a felt pad with relieve pain, and wearing well-fitting shoes may prevent further damage to the joint. Once the deformity is established, surgical removal of the bony overgrowth followed by the regular attention of a podiatrist is the usual treatment.

Treatment of Bunion - Surgery Treatment

Bunions begin when painful bursitis inflammation of a bursa ) develops over the joint, followed by overgrowth of the underlying bone and distortion of the joint. Often there is also a callus over the joint, which adds to the pain and makes shoe-fitting even more difficult.

The general types of bunion surgery are:

• Removal of part of the metatarsal head (the part of the foot that is bulging out). This procedure is called exostectomy.
• Realignment of the soft tissues ( ligaments ) around the big toe joint.
• Removal of a small wedge of bone from the foot (metatarsal osteotomy) or from the toe (phalangeal osteotomy).
• Removal of bone from the end of the first metatarsal bone, which joins with the base of the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint). At the metatarsophalangeal joint, both the big toe and metatarsal bones are reshaped (resection arthroplasty).
• Fusion (arthrodesis) of the big toe joint.
• Fusion of the joint where the metatarsal bone joins the mid-foot (lapidus procedure).
• Implant insertion of all or part of an artificial joint.

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