Bunions are painful bony conditions that has an underlying condition called hallux valgus (change in the angle of the fist toe). You can be born with this, or it can develop over time due to improperly fitting shoes or an inflammatory condition like arthritis. It is important to monitor for other foot changes that can develop as well. Knowing the symptoms as well as simple home treatments can help to keep the pain down.
Symptoms
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. Calluses will form on the inside of the foot and first toe, and between the first and second toes where they overlap. The pain and swelling will also restrict movement of the toe and can affect gait. The pain will vary from sharp and intense to dull and intermittent.
Associated Symptoms
In addition to general pain, there can also be nerve pain or numbness, depending on how the foot is putting pressure on the nerves. If the bunion is particularly large or painful, it will also be quite difficult to find properly fitting shoes. A classic sign of a large bunion can be seen in the shoes themselves, where a hole has been worn through or cut out of the side of the shoe.
On X-ray, the angle of the bend and the amount of bone growth can be more specifically determined. These observations are written down, and monitoring is done to watch for how quickly the angle changes and how the bunion grows.
Depending on the angle of the hallux valgus, it can also cause the bones in the second toe to shift and become painful. This is a separate condition called hammer toe. It is important to know that these problems are often interrelated.
Seeing a Doctor
The first steps most doctors recommend is to ice and elevate the toe at home, and to purchase shoes with wider toe boxes. Additionally, callus covers or mole skin can be bought at a grocery store to help decrease irritation on the skin. Night splints can also be purchased to try to change the angle of the foot. If these at-home interventions do not work, then more aggressive treatment can be rendered in a doctor's office. Some cases will need to be repaired with surgery, while others can just be monitored for changes.
