Bunions: What Causes Bunions?
A bunion is a prominence on the side of the foot by the great toe joint. The big toe may also rotate and leaned over towards the 2nd toe.

Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. There is no specific gene for bunions. There are certain foot types that make a person more prone to developing a bunion. People with flat feet or very flexible feet are more prone to develop problems with bunions. Injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurovascular diseases can also contribute. Overtime, the mechanics of your foot and shoe gear increase the deformity of the bunion. Women are more frequently affected, probably because of the types of shoes they wear. Although wearing shoes that crowd toes won't actually cause bunions in the first place, it sometimes makes the deformity progress more quickly. This would cause an earlier experience of symptoms.

Symptoms:
Wearing shoes that crowd the toes or shoes with a smaller toe box will generally aggravate symptoms. High heels may also contribute. This is why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. Also, spending long periods of time on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of bunions.

Symptoms associated with bunions, may include:

Pain and Soreness

Inflammation and Redness

Burning Sensation

Numbness

Other conditions which may be associated with bunions include calluses on the inside of the toe, sores between other toes, ingrown nails, and limitation of motion of the toe.

Diagnosis:
Bunions are readily apparent, the great toe joint becomes a prominent on the inside of the foot. Full evaluation of your condition generally requires an x-ray to determine the degree of deformity.

Bunions are progressive, they will not resolve and they generally progress and get worse with time. Not all cases are like. The once your foot has been evaluated, an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.

Treatment:
There are two general options for treatment. The first is accommodation and the second is correction. If there are no symptoms and your deformity is not progressing observation of the bunion may prove to be the most appropriate action. A periodic office evaluation and x-ray examination can determine if you're bunion deformity is advancing, reducing your chance of the reversible damage to the joint. In many cases, some type of treatment is necessary.

Accommodated measures are aimed at easing the pain of bunions, but they won't reversed the deformity itself. These options include:

Changes in shoewear. Appropriate footgear is very important. A wide toe box is most appropriate and heels with pointed toes need to be avoided.

Padding. Accommodative padding can also be applied to the bunion. When using padding kit is important that shoes are wide enough to accommodate both the bunion and the pad.

Activity modifications. Avoid activities that precipitated symptoms. This may include standing or walking for long periods of time as well as numerous athletic activities

Medications. OTC medications such as Tylenol and Motrin may help to relieve pain.

Icing. Application of ice periodically can help reduce inflammation and symptoms.

Injection therapy. This may be used to relieve soft tissue swelling or any inflamed bursa which can be sometimes seen with bunions.

Orthotic devices. OTC orthotics as well as custom orthotics can also be used to help reduce symptoms.

When is Surgery Needed?
Surgery should be considered if there is pain or progression of the deformity, symptoms interfere with normal daily activities that are necessary to maintain active healthy lifestyle, accommodative measures are inappropriate or ineffective in relieving symptoms, or secondary problems are developing such as painful calluses, hammertoes or possible neuroma.

There are several surgical procedures performed to treat bunions. The procedures generally include removal of the bump, and realignment of the associated bones, along with correction of soft tissue changes that may also have occurred. The goal of the correction is to relieve pain and restore function.

X-ray findings, age, activity level, and other factors need to be considered to choose the appropriate procedure. Postoperative recovery will very, depending on the severity of the deformity and the procedures performed.