Bunions (hallux valgus) are often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. With a bunion, the big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment, producing the bunion's "bump."

Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which continues to become increasingly prominent. Usually the symptoms of bunions appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms.

Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. So normally someone in the family may have them.
 

Symptoms:

• Pain or soreness

• Inflammation and redness

• A burning sensation

• Perhaps some numbness

 

Other conditions which may appear with bunions include calluses on the big toe, sores between the toes, ingrown toenail, and restricted motion of the toe.

 

Treatment

Early treatments are aimed at easing the pain of bunions and stopping the bunions from getting worse, but they won't reverse the deformity itself. The Mechanics of the foot would need to be addressed and a suitable treatment plan put into place. Custom orthotics are used at times to reduce the hallux from further deviation.