Bunions
What is a Bunion?
Bunions are one of the most common of all foot problems. A bunion refers to the bony growth on the outside of the big toe that forms as the bone under the toe shifts. This results in the big toe moving out of place and moving towards the other toes. The pain from bunions varies from mild discomfort to extensive pain and can lead to a number of other problems such as corns and calluses. The condition is called hallux abducto valgus (HAV).
What causes bunions?
Bunions can certainly be irritated by footwear, but footwear rarely is the cause of the condition as was often thought in years gone by.
Biomechanical foot problems such as over pronation (excessive rolling in of the foot) and a short first metatarsal are the most common causes of this condition. Towards the end of the gait cycle when the foot has excessively pronated we tend to role off the inside of the big toe pushing it towards the second toe. This repetitive motion over time pushes the big toe so that it assumes this position permanently.