You may hear your podiatrist refer to your bunion as a HAV or hallux valgus. This is when the big toe bends towards the other toes, sometimes, it is painful, swollen and red in colour, with a bit of callus formation.
Causes include:
- Genetics
- Footwear
- Arthritis
- Injury
It is also more commonly found in women. Unfortunately, bunions may result in difficulty walking, hammer toes, corns or callus, a numb big toe, an over-lapping or floating second toe, difficulty in finding suitable shoes, arthritis, sesamoiditis and bursitis.
Bunions can be confirmed by x-ray and can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
At ProHealth Podiatry, bunions are treated conservatively by:
- Changes in footwear
- Offloading or padding
- Orthotics or insoles
- Icing
- Referral to a GP for medication
- Joint mobilisation or physical therapy
- Exercise prescription
- Dry needling
- Prolotherapy
- And then if all else fails surgery
To prevent a bunion from occurring or worsening, it is important that you book in with your podiatrist, to have your footwear and feet assessed and commence treatment immediately.
Remember, your feet are your foundation on which you stand, if left untreated, this could be the cause of instability, difficulty walking, weight gain, or a sedentary lifestyle, which is not ideal.
Call us at ProHealth Podiatry on 0410 901 582 or send us an email at info@prohealthpodiatry.com.au to see how we can help you.
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