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April 10, 2024
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Bunion: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

Bunion is the popular name of hallux valgus, a deformity that the foot can acquire and which is characterized mainly by the deviation of the tip of the? Big toe? (hallux) towards the other fingers, favoring the emergence of a kind of? lump / callus? on the outer edge of that finger.

Roberto Ranzini, orthopedist and sports doctor, full member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT), physician of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein Clinical Staff and Oswaldo Cruz German Hospital, points out that the bunion is a set of deformities that first hits the hallux (? big toe?). "It is a progressive problem and promotes a biomechanical imbalance of the entire foot, usually evolving to disabling pain," he says.

Still according to the orthopedist, the first deformity is a deviation of the? Big toe? (valgism) followed by an increase in the volume of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the hallux.

Ranzini points out that bunions can affect both sexes, but it is much more prevalent in women.

Bunion Symptoms

Lucas Leite, orthopedist at São Luiz Morumbi Hospital, explains what are the symptoms of hallux valgus, better known as bunion:

Change of position of the big toe forming a lump / callus on the outer end of that toe;
Pain that can sometimes limit the practice of sports and even the normal walking of the person in their daily lives;
In some cases, the? Callus? may also turn red (in an inflammatory condition);
In some more advanced cases, the other fingers may also begin to "bend", forming the so-called "claw fingers".

Bunion Causes

Roberto Ranzini points out that the exact causes are not known, but there are predisposing factors:

Children of parents with hallux valgus are more likely to develop it;
Frequent use of very high heels and pointy shoes;
Flat feet (or "flat");
First ray hypermobility, or when the bones that make up the big toe have a great mobility.

Lucas Leite points out that the main cause is genetics. That is, some people have a predisposition to develop the problem that, it is worth remembering, is much more common in women than in men. Sometimes the shape of the foot itself offers a greater chance of developing it. "And from there, some factors can worsen the picture (but not cause the problem), such as the use of pointy shoes and high heels (over 3.5cm)," he says.

Orthopedist Lucas Leite adds that, in some cases, deformity could even be previously painless, but due to these aggravating factors (wearing thin toes and high heels), it becomes annoying.

Bunion Treatments

Roberto Ranzini points out that as soon as the person notices that the big toe is "bending", they should seek medical help, especially if they have a blood relative who has the same diagnosis.

Orthopedist Ranzini explains that treatment for bunions is initially done by avoiding deforming factors such as high-heeled shoes and pointy shoes, along with physical therapy and the use of insoles.

Ranzini points out that physical therapy helps a lot in pain control, but only slows the bunion evolution. "It is important to say that this is an extremely variable pathology in terms of evolution, there are cases of very slow evolution, as well as some with rapid worsening," he says.

"Usually evolution is inevitable, and in the most severe cases, with pain that does not improve with any conservative treatment, surgery is indicated," adds Roberto Ranzini.

Lucas Leite points out that foot stretching is important and it may be necessary to use painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat bunions. "But if the picture is progressing very quickly, is causing a lot of pain, surgery to correct the problem is indicated," he explains.

Orthopedist Lucas Leite points out that surgery will remove that? Callus? and also realign the bones, ligaments, and tendons of the foot so that it becomes straight again. “If the problem is not completely corrected, the bunion will probably come back. That is, it is not enough just to remove that "ball", different techniques are needed to completely correct the problem. And this will be done according to each case ?, explains.

How to avoid bunion

Roberto Ranzini explains that what can be done is, in cases of predisposition (if the person already has the problem in the family or if an assessment has already been made about the shape of her foot), is to avoid the deforming factors, or ie high heels and pointy toes.

Lucas Leite points out that nowadays many women have the custom of wearing high heels and / or thin toes and that this is not totally forbidden.? However, especially in the case of these people who already have a predisposition to the problem, wearing this type of shoes should not be a routine, ie they should not wear it every day and for many hours ?, concludes the orthopedist.

You now know that bunion is actually the popular name for hallux valgus, a deformity that the foot can acquire and is much more prevalent among women. Although uncomfortable in some cases, it can be treated without major complications. It is therefore essential to seek medical help as soon as you notice the first signs of this problem.