Management of Bunions at Orthotics Plus
A bunion is clinically known as hallux valgus.
A bunion occurs when the joint at the base of the big toe becomes enlarged, sore and swollen, and angles toward your second toe. Bunions may have a genetic factor and may be more common in females due to narrow, tapered toe, high-heeled shoes.
A bunion develops as the metatarsal (long bone) of the great toe elevates and rotates. This causes excessive pressure through the 2nd metatarsal head and often presents with pain and callousing under the 2nd metatarsal head and within the big toe joint itself.
Wearing well fitting foot-wear, maintaining intrinsic foot muscle strength and ensuring good foot posture may reduce the chance of a bunion developing.
There is no conservative management that can correct the bunion or position of the great toe once the deviation is too great, however early intervention may influence a bunion’s progression.
We can assist with shoes which can accommodate your foot and modify shoes to reduce areas of pressure.
The aim of conservative management is to reduce pain levels. This can be achieved by using:
To determine the most appropriate treatment for you, we recommend booking an initial consultation to discuss your concerns in more detail.
