Q: What is a bunion?
A: Hallux valgus is a joint disorder at the base of the bunion that causes pain, stiffness and progressive bending difficulties. “Hallux” refers to the bunion and “rigidus” refers to the stiffness and immobility of the toe. A bunion is actually a form of degenerative arthritis. People need their bunions to walk, bend, crawl, and even stand, so bunions can be troublesome. Bunions and bunions (bunions) are often confused with each other; essentially they are different and require different treatment. As the disease progresses, the bunion’s range of motion gradually becomes less and less until it becomes “stiff and rigid”, also known as “joint As the disease progresses, the range of motion of the bunion gradually decreases until it becomes “stiff and rigid,” also known as “joint freezing.
Q: What are the causes?
A: The most common causes are
1. Biomechanical defects and structural abnormalities of the foot in bunion osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is caused by “wear and tear” and often occurs in people with functional defects in the foot and bunions, for example, diabetics who often have collapsed arches or internally rotated ankles are prone to bunions.
2, bunions also have a family genetic tendency.
3, Related to foot overwork, people who engage in sports or physical labor (such as athletes, workers who often need to bend or squat), their bunion pressure will increase.
4. It can also be caused by bunion trauma or inflammation (such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout).
A foot and ankle doctor can help you determine the cause and recommend the best treatment.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Early signs and symptoms include.
1. Pain and stiffness when moving the bunion (walking, standing, bending, etc.)
2. Cold and moisture aggravate bunion pain and stiffness
3. Difficulty with certain movements (running or squatting)
4. Swelling and inflammation around the joint
5.Later signs and symptoms include
6. Pain, even at rest
7. Difficulty in wearing shoes due to overgrowth resulting in bone spurs
8.Dull pain in the hip, knee, or lower back due to changes in walking posture
9.Severe cases even limping
Q: How to make a diagnosis?
A: Diagnosis: Early diagnosis and early treatment. Therefore, when you first notice a problem with your foot, you should see a foot and ankle doctor as soon as possible, rather than waiting for a bone spur to form (when treatment would be difficult). Your doctor will examine your foot to look for toe range of motion, arthritis on x-ray, and to evaluate for bone spurs or other abnormalities.
Q: How is treatment performed?
1. Non-surgical treatment
In many patients, early treatment can prevent or delay surgery.
Mild to moderate treatment includes
Shoe replacement: Choosing a large toe shoe with adequate volume can reduce pressure on the toes. Also, we recommend shoes with a hard or rocker sole.
Orthopedic devices: custom-made orthopedic devices that match individual foot characteristics, such as custom-made shoes, custom insoles, full contact casts (TCC), etc. (The first domestic introduction of equipment in the Department of Endocrinology of the 454th PLA Hospital to customize orthopedic insoles according to individual needs)
Medications: Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can reduce pain and inflammation
Injection therapy: glucocorticoid injections reduce inflammation and pain
Physical therapy: Ultrasound therapy or other physical therapy modalities can temporarily relieve symptoms
2.When do I need surgery?
In some patients, surgery is the only way to control or reduce pain. There are several surgical options for bunion, and doctors often choose based on individual characteristics, such as the degree of foot deformity on the patient’s x-ray, age, level of motion, or other. The length of recovery period varies and is related to the surgical procedure and the patient’s own condition.
Surgeons choose the surgical procedure taking into account the patient’s foot x-ray presentation, age, and activity level. The length of the recovery period also varies, depending on the individual patient’s condition and the surgical procedure.