What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more than that. 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 progressive, they don’t go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike, some bunions progress more rapidly than others. Osteoarthritis can develop in the big toe joint as the bunion worsens over time, causing increased pain and stiffness in the joint. Even though bunions are a common foot deformity, many people may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before seeking treatment.
What Causes Bunions?
Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion.
Inherited foot structure
It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion.
Footwear
Footwear can cause pressure on the bump leading to pain, but do not actually cause the bunion.
Symptoms to Look Out For
A bunion is usually visible before it is painful. The signs the source describes are the bump itself, the drift of the big toe, and pain and stiffness that increase as the joint changes.
- A bump on the side of the big toe.
- The big toe leaning toward the second toe rather than pointing straight ahead.
- Pain over the bump, often worse in enclosed or rigid shoes.
- Increased pain and stiffness in the joint where osteoarthritis has developed.
How Are Bunions Diagnosed?
A bunion is diagnosed by examination and x-ray. Your podiatrist confirms that the pain is coming from the joint rather than from a neighbouring problem, and the x-ray shows how far the bones have moved out of alignment and whether osteoarthritis has developed in the joint.
Dr Ozan Amir will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors.
Conservative Treatment Options
Conservative care does not straighten a bunion. It relieves pain over the bump and addresses the mechanics driving the deformity, which is worth doing whether or not surgery is eventually considered.
Often symptoms associated with biomechanical malalignment are treated with the use of custom foot orthotics. This device can help improve and reduce load on painful structures.
- Footwear with a wider toe box and a softer upper, to take pressure off the bump.
- Padding to protect the joint.
- Custom orthoses prescribed from a 3D scan of your foot.
When Symptoms Persist
If non-surgical treatments fail to relieve bunion pain and when the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities. The goal of surgery is the reduction of pain. A variety of surgical procedures is available to treat bunions. In selecting the procedure or combination of procedures for your particular case, Dr Ozan Amir will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on the x-ray findings, your age, your activity level, and other factors.
Minimally invasive correction
A major factor in recovery time and discomfort is the amount of tissue that has been involved by the incision. With minimally invasive foot surgery, a small incision is made in the patient’s skin and a specially designed instrument is inserted into this opening. The entire procedure is performed through this tiny opening. At the conclusion of the surgery, a small bandage protects the area.
Bunion deformity, from the clinic’s own image library.
Show clinical images
Bunions in Children and Teenagers
A bunion that appears in the teenage years is usually described as a juvenile or adolescent bunion, and it reflects the inherited foot type the source describes rather than anything a young person has done. Assessment focuses on the mechanics and on footwear, because the foot is still growing and the joint has many years of load ahead of it.
Our podiatrists see children of all ages, from toddlers who are learning to walk through to teenagers in competitive sport. Children’s appointments usually include a look at how they walk and run, muscle strength and flexibility testing, and footwear advice. Where it’s needed, treatment may include an exercise program or, in some cases, splinting or orthoses.
Bunions FAQs
Bunions are progressive, they don’t go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike, some bunions progress more rapidly than others.
Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. Footwear can cause pressure on the bump leading to pain, but do not actually cause the bunion.
If non-surgical treatments fail to relieve bunion pain and when the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities. The goal of surgery is the reduction of pain.
The length of the recovery period varies with the procedure or procedures performed. Manly Foot Clinic has not published a standard timeline, so this page does not state one. Dr Ozan Amir sets out a timeline for your procedure at consultation.
No, you can book directly without a referral. If you’d like, we’ll send a short report to your GP after your appointment so your foot care stays part of your overall health record. If your appointment is through a Medicare care plan, DVA or another funded program, you will need a referral, so check with us when you book.
Serving Manly and the Northern Beaches.
Manly Foot Clinic is at Shop 3/3 Corrie Rd, North Manly, NSW 2100, and has treated bunions for patients from Manly, Dee Why, Brookvale, Freshwater and Balgowlah since 1989. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 8:00am to 2:00pm.