Bunions
A bunion usually forms at the base of the big toe, resembling a bony lump. The lump makes the toe look somewhat deformed and it often appears bent. The problem with this injury comes through the toe increasing in size due to the lump extension, which causes pressure against the joint of the big toe. This excess pressure sees the big toe go outside of its normal range and obviously, this causes unnecessary stress on the joint and therefore pain.
While bunions most commonly appear on the big toe, there are cases of the little toe suffering from this problem as well.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this injury are very simple to describe, with the most obvious one being a lump outside of the affected toe. This lump can also prompt swelling, redness and soreness in the area.
Anyone suffering from this injury can also expect to feel pain around the toe and in some cases, restricted movement. Some people have to change their footwear as it can become excruciating to walk.
Other symptoms may affect the other toes, as the lump on the big toe causes more pressure to push against the rest. Ingrown toenails can occur through this and in other cases, the toes can become bent.
Causes
Bunions occur due to the affected toe having imbalanced pressures exerted onto the joints. The injury takes years to develop into an advanced stage, as the joint only gradually shifts out of position to create the final abnormal position.
A lot of people who suffer from bunions do so because of their foot type or inherited foot characteristics. Foot injuries also account for a small portion, as does incorrect footwear which will obviously put unnecessary pressure on the toes.
Treatment
Thankfully, there is plenty of treatment for bunions and a lot of it does not involve surgery. Altering your footwear is the first step you could take, whether this is in the form of completely changing your shoes and purchasing a different pair or just adding inserts. If you do decide to change your footwear, try and buy some that are extremely comfortable and provide your toes with plenty of room.
Some people often find that padding and taping their foot also works. This usually involves a visit to the doctor, who will tape the foot into a position that will not cause stress to the joints. If you do decide to see a doctor about bunions, you could also inquire about medication such as Acetaminophens and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which can reduce pain and also reduce swelling in the toes.
Like most injuries, should conservative treatment fail to work then surgery may be required. Most doctors will only recommend this path if nothing else has proved successful as there are plenty of risks involved in any type of surgery. As for the methods involved, this can alter depending on your condition. Some cases of bunions will require completely removing the swollen tissue from around the joint, while others will look to straighten the toe by removing some of the bone.
Prevention
The main prevention suggestions focus on wearing the correct footwear. The athlete should ensure that their toes have plenty of room to move and there should be as small amount of pressure on them as possible. If there is a family history of foot problems, the athlete should ensure that they’re wearing the correct footwear as a matter of urgency anyway.