Bunion Hallux Valgus (Bunion)

Lateral deviation of the big toe leads to the development of a bunion- a bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. The bump is made up of a prominent bone (the 1st metatarsal) and thickened skin and tissues around the prominent bone. Corns and calluses may develop over the bunion, the big toe and the second toe due to pressure from the footwear.

Why do people develop bunions?

Bunions are most widely considered to be due to wearing of footwear that is too tight causing the toes to be squeezed together. Bunions also tend to run in families.

Surgery for Bunions

Once a symptomatic hallux valgus fails to respond to conservative measures, surgical treatment is usually considered. In the past a ‘one-technique-fits-all’ approach was commonly used by many surgeons and the patients had to endure weeks on crutches and in casts. Not surprisingly the results of surgical correction have often been unpredictable with patients complaining of residual pain & deformity both in the hallux and the lesser toes, giving rise to a relatively poor reputation for bunion surgery. [more...]