What are Bunions, what causes Bunions and what are the complications of Bunions?

Bunion causes and complications. You may find yourself gazing longing through the window of a shop, and imagining how you would look in that scintillatingly, dazzlingly, gorgeous shoe… And then you think, how will that get-on with the wee lump on the side of my toe – if only I knew bit more about it but, thankfully bunion causes and complications are easily explained.

Hopefully this article will put you right and you may know answers for bunion causes and complications.

What is a Bunion?

Essentially a bunion is a bony lump. This forms on the joint at the base of the big toe when the toe pushes against the next toe and forces the joint of the toe to enlarge and form outwards, with the skin over the bunion becoming red and painful.

The same thing can happen with the little toe, where it is known as a bunionette, or “tailor’s bunion”.

Strangely the word “bunion” comes from the Greek word for turnip, as apparently the lump has some similarity to a red and swollen turnip. However the medical profession has the more professional sounding of name Hallux Valgus.

What is the Symptoms of a Bunion?

The symptoms of a bunion include:

• A hard lump on the edge of your foot at either the base of the big toe (bunion) or little toe (bunionette), which can have continual or occasional pain.
• The affected toe is not straight and is leaning towards the other toes, and movement of the toe can be restricted.
• The lump has hard, red or swollen skin, and the skin between the affected toe and second toe is hard or callused by rubbing.
• The joint of the affected toe can be swollen, red or sore, due to pressure from footwear.
• Noticeable changes in the shape of the foot can make it difficult to find comfortable footwear.

What are the Causes of a Bunion?

It is not known exactly what causes bunions, but there are several factors that increase the risk of developing them which include:

• High heels: The higher the heel, the more weight is transferred to the toes at the front of the footwear, which puts more pressure onto the toes.
• Backless footwear: With backless footwear the toes grip and claw during walking, which strain the foot over time if worn frequently.
• Ill-fitting footwear: Too tight, too narrow or too pointed footwear which compresses the foot into an unnatural position.
• Overpronation: Where having a low arch, or uneven weight-bearing on the foot and tendon, places the toe joint under pressure.
• Heredity: The shape and structure of foot that has been inherited may increase susceptibility.
• Inflammatory and neuromuscular conditions: Having an inflammatory condition (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) or a neuromuscular condition (e.g. polio), may increase susceptibility.
• Other health conditions: Gout, stroke or a foot injury can affect the walking gate, and may lead to unnatural pressure on the foot.

What are the complications of a Bunion?

Bunions do not always cause problems, but they are permanent unless they are dealt with surgically. When they do cause problems this can come in a number of forms that cause pain, calluses, difficulty in walking and decreased mobility of toes. There are three medical complications directly related to bunions that cause pain and inflammation:

• Bursitis: This is inflammation in the small fluid-filled pads (bursae) that cushion bones, tendons and muscles near the joints.
• Hammertoe: This occurs when there is an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe, normally in the toe next to your big toe.
• Metatarsalgia: This is where inflammation occurs in the ball of the foot.

Can footwear reduce the risk of a Bunion?

The risk of getting a bunion can be reduced by wearing the right type of footwear. The following footwear guidelines are advised:

• Good footwear: Make sure footwear is wide enough, so there is no pressure on the joints and toes can wiggle comfortably.
• Low Heels: Heels lower than two inches (five centimetres) lessen the pressure on the toes.
• Adjustable fastenings: Laces, buckles or straps allow for the feet to be held comfortably in the footwear.