More than 64 million people have bunions, which can lead to painful walking. Bunions affect around 35% of women over the age of 65. This condition may cause problems with shoe wear and increase the risk of falls in the elderly. A bunion is a type of foot deformity in which the big toe leans toward the other toes, causing a bump on the joint at the base of the big toe, leading to discomfort. Possible causes include weak tendons and ligaments in the foot. Strengthening the foot muscles and wearing comfortable shoes can help prevent and relieve symptoms.
According to The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (2016), three key muscles in the foot and two muscles in the calf play a crucial role. Strengthening these muscles has the potential to reduce pain and improve movement in patients with bunions.
These five muscles support body weight and forward motion, stiffen the arch of the foot, and prevent excessive inward rolling, providing better support for the big toe. The article also noted that people can strengthen these muscles with three simple exercises.
The exercises—toe spread out, short foot, and heel raise—are easy to do at home and can strengthen key foot muscles. Stronger feet can help reduce bunion-related pain and improve movement. Muscle-strengthening exercises can be an effective way to manage bunions.
MedBound Times reached out to Dr. Vikas Illur, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore, to discuss bunion pain, its causes, its link with footwear, and how to manage it.
In his words, “A bunion is a common foot deformity affecting nearly one in four individuals. Also known as hallux valgus deformity, a bunion affects the great toe, pushing it toward the other toes and causing a bony bump at the base of the great toe, where it articulates with the first metatarsal bone.”
A bunion can be caused by various factors:
Congenital causes, where it is an inborn deformity.
Developmental causes, seen in adolescents and young adults, often due to genetic factors.
Inflammatory conditions, such as gout (high uric acid) and rheumatoid arthritis.
Age-related degeneration, which leads to foot deformities in the elderly.
Other foot deformities, such as flat feet, which can contribute to bunion formation.
The most common symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty walking, in addition to cosmetic concerns.
An improper choice of footwear, such as shoes with narrow fronts, can crowd the toes, further worsening the deformity over time, increasing discomfort, and making the condition symptomatic.
Conservative treatments such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and icing help alleviate symptoms in the short term. Changing to boxy-designed footwear reduces stress on the great toe, thereby preventing further exacerbation of symptoms. Treating underlying conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and gout can help prevent the progression of the deformity. Non-operative methods, such as toe spreaders and taping of the great toe, can also help slow the deformity's progression. If the deformity becomes severe and affects daily activities like walking and wearing footwear, surgery should be considered.Dr Vikas Illur, Senior Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore
Treatment:
Conservative treatments such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and icing help alleviate symptoms in the short term.
Switching to boxy-designed footwear reduces stress on the great toe, thereby preventing further exacerbation of symptoms.
Treating underlying conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and gout can help prevent the progression of the deformity.
Non-operative methods, such as toe spreaders and taping of the great toe, can also help slow the deformity's progression.
If the deformity is severe and affects daily activities like walking and wearing footwear, surgery may be necessary. Surgical excision of the bony bump and correction of the great toe's alignment with the rest of the foot can be achieved by adjusting soft tissue tension, performing a bony correction, or, in rare cases, fusing the great toe joint.
In most patients, symptoms can be managed easily, and the condition is more of a cosmetic concern than a disability, making surgical intervention rarely necessary.”
Overall, if swelling, pain, or limping persists, it’s time to visit an orthopedician. Early intervention can prevent progression and reduce pain.
Note: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always contact your healthcare practitioner regarding any questions you may have about medical conditions, procedures or treatment.
References:
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Overview: Bunions. Cologne, Germany: InformedHealth.org, 2006–. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513134/.
Bunion: Strengthening Foot Muscles to Reduce Pain and Improve Mobility. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 46, no. 7 (2016): 606. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2016.0504. Accessed February 17, 2025.
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