Bunions, Hallux Abducto Valgus (Hav), Bunion Pain Causes and Treatment.
Bunions or bunion pain refer to the bony lump found at the large joint
at the base of the big toe.
This bump develops from the bone surrounding this joint being irritated
due to the joint jamming. The joint jams when the foot excessively
pronates. This twists the joint and effectively cross threads
the first toe joint.
Docpods help to prevent this condition through limiting the amount of pronation. This
helps to maintain the first toe joint in a more functional position and limit the
amount of jamming.
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Continue reading below for a more complex description
A closer look at the causes and treatment of bunions and bunion pain.
Bunions and Hallux abducto valgus (Hav) refer to
the bony lump found at first metatarsal phalangeal joint (base of
the first toe). Bunions are a progressive condition and in most cases
will become painful at some stage depending on the
severity of the bunion and the amount of activity of the individual.
There are a number of factors to consider in determining the cause of a bunion which are:
Biomechanical position of the foot – is the foot position responsible for the bunion?
Genetics – is there a genetic predisposition for a bunion to form?
Footwear – is the footwear shape or instability causing the bunion?
Activity level – is the activity level too great for this particular foot type?
Usually a bunion forms due to a combination of the above etiologies with the most common
factor being a biomechanical abnormality of the foot causing abnormal pronation.
When the foot over pronates
(rolls in) the entire foot everts (twists to the centre). This causes
the first-metatarsal-phalangeal (mp) joint to twist as the big toe
is fixed and planted securely on the ground and the foot in moving
inwards. As the foot moves on to the toes for propulsion the 1st mp
joint is effectively cross threaded as the first toe tries to extend.
It is this cross threading that causes irritation of the bone and surrounding joint.
When bone is irritated it will grow in order to protect its structure. As the joint is
irritated the bony growths form on the areas of greatest cross threading. This in turn
causes greater irritation as the joint will now jam on the excess bone formation. And
the cycle repeats with joint jamming, bone formation which causes greater joint jamming
and so on.
When this poor mechanical position is coupled with ligamentous laxity (flexibility),
high activity, a genetic predisposition for bunions or poor fitting footwear, the bunion
is likely to form and cause significant debility.
Treatment for bunions can be handled conservatively (no surgery) or by surgery.
Conservative treatment involves correcting the underlying biomechanical factors such as
excess pronation. This can be achieved by using a foot orthosis.
The results of the conservative treatment will relieve the discomfort associated with
bunions however they will not make the first toe straight again. If this is the desired
result then surgery is the only option.
Bunion surgery will be the most effective way to straighten the toe. Bunion surgery
however should not be taken lightly as there will be a lengthy recovery period and
considerable discomfort.
For more information on bunion surgery please contact you local podiatrist.
