- How the treatment is done
- Home treatment
- Bunion symptoms
- What can cause
- How to prevent the appearance of bunions
The bunion, known scientifically as Hallux Valgus, is a deviation of the fingers towards the inside of the foot, misaligning the bones and joints. The most affected finger is the big toe, but in some people the bunion forms on the little finger.
The appearance of the bunion is more common in people who often wear high shoes and who have osteoarticular diseases, such as arthritis, for example. The presence of the bunion can be quite uncomfortable and painful, so it is important to go to the orthopedist or physiotherapist to start treatment to relieve symptoms.
How the treatment is done
Bunion treatment aims to bring the finger back to the starting position and the symptoms to be relieved. Thus, the use of splints or finger retractors may be indicated in order to try to reposition the affected bones. These splints and retractors can be found on the internet, pharmacies and drugstores.
Applying an anti-inflammatory ointment such as Cataflan or Voltaren, can be indicated on days when it is necessary to wear a tall shoe, but if the bunion is too big and is bothering you a lot, as a last resort you can have surgery. Especially when the person suffers from foot pain daily or has some other complication, such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example.
The surgery is usually done with local anesthesia and in it the orthopedic surgeon will reposition the finger closer to its original location, scraping the bone that has deviated laterally. After surgery, one should avoid placing the body weight on the operated foot for approximately, gradually returning to its daily activities. Physiotherapy can be of great help in this phase of recovery. See how bunion surgery is done and recovery.
Home treatment
A good home treatment for an inflamed bunion, which usually relieves pain and discomfort a lot, is to make a step ladder by placing your feet of 'sauce' into a bowl of warm water and 2 tablespoons of coarse salt or Epsom salts. Massaging your feet with sweet almond oil is also an excellent strategy to improve blood circulation and relieve pain, redness and swelling of the feet.
After doing this, lying for about 30 min with your feet elevated, on the arm of the sofa or pillows is also a good home strategy to deflate your feet, which also contributes to symptom relief.
Watch the following video and see what exercises you can do for bunions:
Bunion symptoms
Joanete's symptoms vary according to the deviation of the big toe or little toe, the main ones being:
- Change in the shape of the foot, with the formation of a lump next to the foot; Deviation of the affected toe over others; Dry skin and redness in the affected toe; Pain in the toe when walking; Swelling of the affected toe joint.
The discomfort caused by the bunion can usually be relieved with the use of orthopedic insoles, toe separators, use of anti-inflammatory remedies or foot massages. Here's how to care for the bunion and relieve symptoms.
What can cause
The bunion is formed mainly in women between 20 and 40 years, due to the use of high heels for a long time, especially those with pointed toes, as it causes the toe to deviate inwards, towards the other fingers, and for this reason this becomes more prominent.
This change in the feet tend to appear more frequently in people of the same family and, therefore, people with a family history of bunions should avoid wearing tight shoes or daily use of high heels.
People who have health problems, like rheumatoid arthritis or gout, are also more prone to their development, so they need to be extra careful.
How to prevent the appearance of bunions
The best way to try to prevent the development of a bunion is to wear comfortable shoes that allow your toes to move freely. Shoes with very high heels can also increase pressure on the toes, facilitating the appearance of bunions, so it is not advisable to wear shoes or sandals with heels over 5 cm high
