Types and Treatment of Bunions
Types of Bunion:
Treatment and Prevention by Various Methods
Possible Complications after Improper Treatment of Bunions
Acute Bunion
Acute bunion is caused by the sudden outgrowth of a fluid-filled sac called as Bursa. Bursa is a sac of fluid for decreasing the friction between bone and skin, tendon and bone. Bursa helps for gliding movements without pressure. Bursitis is the inflammation of Bursa that causes much pain. It develops continuous irritation and sharper pain. The result is acute bunion.
Hallux Valgus
If the acute bunion progresses, it develops a tedious type of bunion - Hallux Valgus. This is the lateral stage of acute bunion by which permanent rigidity of bones and deformity occurs.
Treatment and Prevention by Various Methods
Bunion can be easily prevented at the initial stage by soaking the feet in warm water, as it gives temporary relief.
In olden days, bunions were eradicated by the removal of big toe to avoid further problems.
But, shoes with wide toe box; custom insoles, shoe inserts and activity like stretching exercises are now used for relief and comfort. Proper fitting shoes and specially designed orthotics can be used for additional support, protection and pleasure feel.
Shoes with soft and slightly stiff leather with facility to stretch can be used for extra padding of the bunion. Orthoses are the efficient tool for controlling abnormal foot movements.
If there is no improvement after the change of footwear, the best method is by Bunion surgery referred to as ‘Bunionectomy'. Post-operative shoe will be effective after surgical treatment. Foot must be bandaged and flexible type of shoes must be worn for certain weeks to get permanent relief.
Tips to Prevent Bunions
- Low (or) flat-heeled shoes with deep toe boxes are suitable to eliminate bunions.
- Sandals and shoes with laces rather than slip-on's can be used for avoiding bunion.
- Shoes that allow the foot to breath and with good arch support for equal weight distribution are preferable.
- Bunion/Toes Separators, Gelled Toe Spacers, Bunion Cushions, Bunion Pads and Bunion Shields/Night Splints are unique orthotics that can be used to prevent them.
Possible Complications after Improper Treatment of Bunions
1. Deformity of Feet
When the treatment to bunion is not effective, it provokes difficulty like feet twists. This makes the feet to look irregular in shape causing major foot problems while wearing certain shoes.
2. Continual foot pain
A faulty approach or improper treatment towards bunion pain leads to overall foot pain, which stays for a long time creating multiple foot disorders.
3. Bursitis and severe inflammation
Bursa is a small sac filled with liquid substances scattered all over the human's body. It lies between the skin and tissue/tendon for reducing friction created during movements. It functions as a lubricant for providing smooth glides of bones, muscles and ligaments. When there is swelling of bursa due to imperfect treatment at the bunion joint, it leads to severe irritation (or) inflammation commonly referred as ‘Bursitis'.
4. Stiffened foot
Due to the progressive swelling and bending of toes, the foot hardens creating difficulty in movements. If the condition strives for a certain amount of time, it leads to stiffened foot.
5. Hallux Varus
If the treatment to Hallux Valgus or Bunion deformity result a failure, it leads to deviation of big toe. When there is medial deviation of big toe and the deviation is away from the midline, it causes severe condition called as "Hallux Varus". Hallux Varus is usually occurred by the big toe's bend towards the inner side of the foot.
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