BUNIONS

BUNIONS

SUBMITTED BY: CARL CORTESE

DEFINITION: BUNIONS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FOREFOOT PROBLEMS. A BUNION IS A PROMINENT BUMP ON THE INSIDE OF THE FOOT AROUND THE BIG TOE JOINT. THIS BUMP IS ACTUALLY A BONE PROTRUDING TOWARDS THE INSIDE OF THE FOOT. WITH THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF THE BIG TOES TOWARD THE SMALLER TOES, IT IS COMMON TO FIND THE BIG TOE RESTING OVER OR UNDER THE SECOND TOE. THIS CAUSES A COMMON FOREFOOT CONDITION CALLED OVERLAPPING TOES. SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF BUNIONS INCLUDE INFLAMMATION, SWELLING, AND SORENESS ON THE SIDE SURFACE OF THE BIG TOE. THE DISCOMFORT COMMONLY CAUSES A PERSON TO WALK IMPROPERLY.

ANOTHER TYPE OF BUNION WHICH SOME INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE IS CALLED A TAILOR'S BUNION, ALSO KNOWN AS A BUNIONETTE. THIS FORMS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FOOT TOWARDS THE JOINT AT THE LITTLE TOE. IT IS A SMALLER BUMP THAT FORMS DUE TO THE LITTLE TOE MOVING INWARDS, TOWARDS THE BIG TOE.

CAUSE: BUNIONS CAN BE HEREDITARY AND ARE A COMMON PROBLEM EXPERIENCED MOSTLY BY WOMEN. THE PAIN CAN DEVELOP FROM AN ABNORMALITY IN FOOT FUNCTION BIO MECHANICS DUE TO EXCESS PRONATION, OR ARTHRITIS, BUT IS MORE COMMONLY CAUSED BE WEARING IMPROPER FITTING FOOTWEAR. TIGHT, NARROW DRESS SHOES WITH A CONSTRICTIVE TOE AREA CAN CAUSE THE FOOT TO BEGIN TO TAKE THE SHAPE OF THE SHOE, LEADING TO THE FORMATION OF A PAINFUL BUNION. IF YOU HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS PLEASE CALL:309-452-3000 CORTESE FOOT AND ANKLE CLINIC, BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, MCLEAN COUNTY ILLINOIS.