Bunions

What is a bunion?

A typical bunion forms at the side of the foot, on the joint at the base of the big toe, where the metatarsal and toe bones (phalanges) connect. The bump occurs when some of the bones in the front of the foot move out of place, causing your big toe to lean towards the second toe instead of being straight. This angular deformity is medically known as ‘hallux valgus.’  This abnormality then forces the bone joint at the base of your big toe to stick out in an angular lump. Sometimes, this lump is completely painless, but it can make the simplest tasks like putting on shoes or walking very painful for others.

Smaller bunions (called bunionettes) can also develop at the bone joint of your little toe, although these types of bunion are less common.

What is a tailor’s bunion?

A tailor’s bunion is simply another name for a ‘bunionette.’ These show as a bony lump at the side of the little toe instead of the big toe. Tailor’s bunions have similar causes to regular bunions and can be treated using the same surgical and non-surgical techniques.

What does a bunion look like?

A bunion looks like a large, curved bump at the side of your big toe. The skin around this bump may become red, sore or dry as the bump rubs against the side of your shoes when you wear them. Bunionettes look similar, protruding as a curved bump at the side of the foot. But they appear on the other side of the foot, near the small toe instead.

What are the symptoms of bunions?

The main physical symptom of a bunion is the presence of a deformed bump. However, bunions also cause a range of associated symptoms including:

– Inflamed, dry or red skin on the side of your big toe

– Swelling, redness and soreness around the big toe joint

– Big toe turning towards other toes

– Thick skin developing on the underside of the big toe

– Corns and calluses on your second toe

– Restricted movement of the big toe

– Foot pain that comes and goes

All of these symptoms can make it very difficult for a person to walk or exercise. Bunion sufferers also may struggle to find shoes that fit them properly, and the pain can be crippling. Over time, the bone deformity can cause your other toes to crowd together, leading to further pain and the potential for a permanent foot deformity. This is why it is crucial to seek medical treatment when bunion symptoms present themselves.

What causes bunions?

The exact cause of bunions is currently unknown. However, bunions are generally thought to be genetic. Some conditions also make bunions more likely to develop in the feet, including having flat feet, excessively flexible ligaments and bone deformities that are present at birth. Foot stress or injuries are another risk factor. Bunions are also associated with certain types of arthritis, particularly the inflammatory types, like rheumatoid arthritis. Bunions may also be triggered by lifestyle factors such as:

– Wearing ill-fitting shoes: wearing tight, narrow or pointed shoes can force toes to crowd together, putting excess pressure on the big toe joint

– Wearing high heels: high heels force toes to cramp together at the front of the foot, putting pressure on the toe joints

– Standing for long periods of time: increased pressure on the feet due to long periods of standing can increase your bunion risk

How to treat bunions

There are surgical and non-surgical treatment options for bunions. Non-surgical options include wearing specially adapted wider-fitting shoes with extra padding and support to prevent friction and allow extra space between the toes. Patients can also treat associated bunion pain with over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, if these relief methods do not work, then bunion corrector surgery is the only option. This type of bunion removal treatment is known as a bunionectomy and gets rid of bunions by removing swollen tissue around the bunion bump and correcting the alignment of the bone joint.

There are many types of bunionectomy procedures on offer, but many involve a long period of post-op recovery time and pain. At The Cosmetic Skin Clinic, we work in collaboration with bunion removal experts at The Private Clinic to offer an exclusive minimally invasive procedure that is available nowhere else.

Bunion corrector surgery 

The minimally invasive bunion treatment is a leading UK procedure that involves almost no downtime and fast recovery. Pioneered by renowned Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeon Dr Andrea Bianchi, it is a simple and quick procedure that takes less than 15 minutes to complete in most cases and can be performed on a ‘walk-in, walk-out’ basis. This exclusive technique permanently removes bunions without the need for any fixative devices such as wires, screws or plates. Patients can leave the clinic immediately after treatment.

Fill out our online contact form for further information about this ground-breaking bunion corrector treatment. The bunion keyhole surgery is performed in The Private Clinic’s state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of central London.