Bunions

Most people believe bunions are bumps that form on the side of the foot.  However, a bunion forms due to an instability in the forefoot which results in the metatarsal moving out of position.

The big toe joint is subluxed or out of position.  This is hereditary.  You can thank your Mom or Dad for it.   Shoes and the level or types of activity will progress the bunion faster and make symptoms appear sooner in a person’s life.

The symptoms can involve joint achiness, sharp pains or numbness into the big toe.  As well, a hard area of skin (callous) can form underneath the 2nd metatarsal because the pressure when walking (1.5 X’s body weight), cannot be managed by a subluxed joint.  These symptoms tend to worsen with prolonged standing or activity.  As the bunion progresses, the bump will appear to get larger, and the big toe will cross over the 2^nd toe.

If a bunion deformity is diagnosed early enough, custom moulded orthotics can reduce traction on the 1^st metatarsophalangeal joint (big toe joint) and reduce the rate of progression.  If the damage is extensive, only surgical intervention will correct the deformity.

Bunion surgery is done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with a mild sedative.  In most cases, people walk into surgery and walk out of surgery in a special shoe or walking boot.  Most cases do NOT require a 6 week absence from work.

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