COMMON FOOT COMPLAINTS
Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
Hallux Valgus, more commonly known as bunions are a common structural condition with contributing factors such as genetic predisposition and poor fitting shoes. This is a common and often painful condition that effects a large number of both females and males.
Hallux Valgus is the condition when the big toe is angled excessively towards the second toe, blocking adequate range of motion and quality of motion within the 1st big toe joint. This lack of movement in the 1st big toe joint can cause further promblems during the stance and toe-off phases of the gait cycle.
The foot is therefore forced to change its gait cycle to compensate for this lack of movement causing other tissues in and around the foot to be placed under instense stress and strain contributing to foot pain and injuries.
A bunion can be seen as a repetitive strain injury due to a continuous condition bringing on the calcification of the bone; bunions can become prominent if suffering from arthritis or if the foot has been continually squeezed into inappropriate footwear.
Women tend to suffer from the condition more than men due to the demands of fashion and the use of restrictive footwear; the pressure on the toe-area is increased through the use of heels or more pointed shoes.
Treatment:
To correct the structural alignment and to slow the progression of the bunions, custom made foot orthoses can be advised upon depending on the severity of the bunion and the quality and range of motion within the 1st big toe joint.
At Footwise, the podiatrists and in store staff can advise you on the most suitable shoe for you to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on the first big toe joint and at the same time finding a shoe that has adequate support for your foot-type.
Palliative treatments such as exercises and manipulation can be advised upon to ease the pain within the joint, all of which can be advised upon following a thorough biomechanical foot assessment by one of our podiatrists.
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