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Bunion Pain
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Bunion Pain - Introduction
| Bunions are one of the most common of all foot problems. A bunion refers to the bony growth on the outside of the big toe that forms as the bone under the toe shifts. This results in the big toe moving out of place and moving towards the other toes. The pain from bunions varies from mild discomfort to extensive pain and can lead to a number of other problems such as corns and calluses. The condition is called hallux abducto valgus (HAV). |
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Bunion Foot Pain - Causes
- Bunions can certainly be irritated by footwear but rarely is the cause of the condition as was often thought in years gone by. Bunions have been found on people who have never worn footwear in their lives.
- Biomechanical foot problems such as over pronation (excessive rolling in of the foot) and a short first metatarsal are the most common causes of this condition. Towards the end of the gait cycle when the foot has excessively pronated we tend to role off the inside of the big toe pushing it towards the second toe. This repetitive motion over time pushes the big toe so that it assumes this position permanently. If you study the above diagram imagining the foot has excessively flattened and the heel has just come off the ground your foot will tend to role off the side of the big toe. Add to this a short metatarsal and we have a very poor lever arm that renders the joint unstable .
- Hereditary predisposition to bunions.
- One leg being longer than the other can be a contributing factor to bunions.
- Lack of strength in foot ligaments when a hormone is released during late pregnancy to assist with child birth.
Bunion Foot Pain - Treatment
- The main objective is to control excessive abnormal pronation to reduce the medial forces acting upon the bunion. Reducing this force and stress will assist in proper weight redistribution away from the bunion. Symptoms will often improve within a few days. Podlink orthotics help control this motion buy supporting the medial longitudinal arch and reducing excessive pronation redistributing weight away from the bunion at toe off. The 3/4 length design of Podlink orthotics accommodate the width that is often needed in a shoe when a foot has a bunion. The nature of the material used in manufacture allows for modifications around a bunion using scissors or a grinder. We recommend wearing your Podlink Orthotics in gradually combined with appropriate footwear. Click here to choose your Podlink foot care orthotics bunion pain solution.
- Correctly fitted footwear, with wide fitting shoes being most appropriate. .
- Bunions that have become red and swollen and particularly painful can be treated with ice for temporary relief.
- Avoidance of high heels.
- Other treatments include bunion pads and bunion splints.
- As a last resort, surgery can provide relief from bunions.
Printable Bunion Pain Info Sheet
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