Bunions

Is a bony enlargement on the medial (inside) aspect of the first metatarsal head that is commonly irritated by improper fitting footwear. Bunions are more frequently observed in adults but they can occur in juveniles as well.

Cause

Most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types (pes planus or flat feet)  that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Although wearing shoes that crowd the toes won’t actually cause bunions , they can cause the deformity to get progressively worse.

Treatment Options

Bunions may be treated conservatively with changes in footwear such as round/wide/deep toe boxes, soft leathers/avoidance of stitching over toes, and rocker soles. Custom made orthoses to reduce pronation and pad the affected area.