In France, 30% of the elderly population and 2% of the child population are affected by bunions. In most cases, it affects women, but men are not immune to this toe deformity.
What exactly is it?
Bunions are characterized by an outward displacement of the big toe. Bunions are generally accompanied by an extremely painful bump on the side of the joint. The factors contributing to this deformity are numerous. Indeed, they can depend on:
- Genetics, as this pathology can be hereditary
- Static foot problems
- The use of ill-fitting shoes
- Old age
- Personal factors and history, such as morphology, neuromuscular/rheumatic disease, or collagen anomaly
- Customs and habits, for example due to narrow-toed shoes or high heels worn daily
Warning signs
A bunion does not appear suddenly overnight; there are warning signs to watch for. These symptoms include:
- Loss of function of the big toe, causing the body's weight to shift to the other toes
- Daily discomfort and redness even without using the foot
- Severe pain in the big toe, especially when putting on a regular pair of shoes
- Severe pain in the sole of the foot (corns, thick and extensive calluses)
- Swelling in the same area
- Difficulty walking for a few days
- Widening of the front of the foot
- The beginning of the deformation, directly visible to the naked eye
In some cases (very rarely), bunions appear completely painlessly; you might feel a slight pain when walking, but nothing too alarming. This is why it is still important to monitor the condition of your feet daily.
The different types of bunions
- Mild bunion (deviation less than 20°) - The metatarsal and phalanx of the big toe are still interlocked
- Moderate bunion (deviation between 20 and 40°) - The phalanx of the big toe and the metatarsal no longer interlock correctly. The big toe shifts outwards from the foot
- Severe bunion (deviation greater than 40°) - The big toe is completely opposite the second toe, almost forming a right angle
How to remedy it effectively?
Given that bunions are an increasingly common deformity among French people, many treatments are possible. These include:
- Physiotherapy to gently restore motor skills
- Home rehabilitation devices to regain proper use of the feet
- Orthoses allow for gentle correction of bunions
- Surgery, which is the most radical option and is recommended only in extreme cases of bunions
- Adapted shoes that will correct the deformity to avoid using shoes that would promote the progression of the deformity
In all cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor or a podiatrist to assess the condition of the feet and determine the best treatment to adopt.
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