Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion is a bony prominence that forms at the base of the big toe where the first metatarsal bone drifts inward and the big toe drifts outward.

Over time, this pathology can cause pain, swelling, redness, and difficulty with shoe wear.

Bunions are progressive, meaning they will worsen with time if left untreated. They may develop from genetics, poor shoe wear, flatfoot deformity, or arthritis.

The key to providing relief is allowing the surgeon the ability to physically assess the problem, as there are often multiple pathologies occurring at once with bunion
pathologies.

Treatment Plan

• Shoe Modification: Wear shoes with a wide toe box and soft upper material to reduce pressure on the bunion.
• Padding: Bunion pads or gel sleeves can reduce irritation and friction.
• NSAIDs/Ice: Helpful for reducing inflammation and pain.
• Surgery: The only definitive treatment. Bunion surgery (various techniques depending on severity) realigns the bone and soft tissues to restore the normal position of the toe

Here at SpecOrtho we can provide a variety of bunion procedures including: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), Lapidus via Treace Lapiplasty ©, and arthrodesis (fusion) in specific cases.