Conditions & Treatments

A bunion is an often painful enlargement of the joint at the side of the big toe. The big toe is bent inwards and a bony lump forms on the outside. The bump is actually a bone protruding towards the inside of the foot. Over time the lump becomes larger and the bunion can become painful. Stiffness can eventually develop, even arthritis. With the continued movement of the big toe towards the smaller toes it is common to find the big toe resting over the second toe. Symptoms of bunions include inflammation, soreness and swelling and on the outside the big toe, often causing the sufferer to walk with difficulty. Hammertoes are a contracture of the toes as a result of a muscle imbalance between the tendons on the top and the tendons on the bottom of the toe. They can be flexible or rigid in nature. When they are rigid, it is not possible to straighten the toe out by manipulating it. Frequently, they develop corns on the top of the toe as a result of rubbing on the shoe. They may also cause a bothersome callous on the ball of the foot. This occurs as a result of the toe pressing downward on the bone behind the toe. The most obvious symptom is the change in the angle of the toe. The first toe will start to lean or angle towards the second toe. People can be born with hallux valgus, and it can get worse over time. The bunion is the bony outgrowth that happens on the side of the foot near the first toe. A small bump is noticeable at first. The angle of the toe and the size of the bump can become more dramatic. Swelling, redness and pain will often be over the area of the bump. The swelling and pain may be felt across the whole of the toe joint as well. For those interested in bunion treatment , you might wonder, “What are bunions”? Bunions ( hallux valgus ) are bony prominences on the outside edge of the big toe where the toe meets the main bones of the foot. Bunions are a combination of three medical conditions that include enlargement of soft tissue; deformities in foot bones, called hallux abducto valgus; and a third condition called metatarsus primus varus. The hallux condition is a rotated big toe that either pushes toward the second toe, sits on top of it, or beneath it. Metatarsus primus is where the bone in the foot connecting to the big toe, rotates outward. Closed shoes can aggravate the lumps and bumps on your feet such as hammer toes and bunions. Hammer toes increase the chances of developing corns and calluses on the tops or bottoms of your feet. Hammer toes occur when your toe starts to buckle causing a prominence to develop. It is a bone problem causing a skin problem. Corns will form on prominent boney areas on the tops of the toes (the head of the proximal phalanx) when it repeatedly rubs against the inner lining of the shoes toe box. The skin becomes thickened, red and painful making walking difficult. Straightened arcs will help your feet; plus correct and strengthen your back, enhance posture, which in turn will reduce leg, knee and lower back discomfort. To obtain rid of truly bad foot pain depends upon what is triggering the discomfort. Arc support insoles for your shoes are excellent if you have fallen arcs. Insoles aid with flat foot pain, 1 in every 8 people have flat feet. Activities that trigger you to be on your bad aching feet for hours upon hours can feel much better with some great arc support shoes. A foot massage can work marvels if your feet, lower back or hamstrings are tight.