There's No Fun in Bunion

If your big toe has gradually begun to point toward your second toe, forming a bump on the outside edge of your foot, you are probably experiencing a bunion.

Also known as Hallux valgus, a bunion develops as the foot bone connected to your big toe begins to pull towards the center of the body. The bony prominence on the side of your toe's joint is a visual indication of a bunion, while physically you will know because of the discomfort and pain that is involved with the process.

The common symptoms of a bunion include:

• Swelling and/or around the big toe joint
• Difficulty walking
• Pain along the inside margin of the foot
• Feet become too wide to fit into their normal shoes
• Pain when wearing tight shoes

More women than men develop a bunion later in life, because they are more likely to wear tightly fitting shoes. Poorly fitting shoes are the most common cause of a bunion, and the risk of developing one increases with family history.

Other possible causes for a bunion are:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Weak ligaments in the feet
• Trauma or injury to the feet

Ibuprofen will temporarily relieve the pain and inflammation of a bunion. But changing your footwear is a more permanent solution. That as well as wearing commercial bunion pads or night splints can reduce and heal the bunion.

If the problem has existed for some time, the doctor may have you go through surgery to alleviate the bunion. This is rare, but it may be the best solution!