What are bunions and can they go away on their own?
A bunion is a deformity of the big toe where it drifts or deviates outwards and towards the second toe. As a result, a bony bump forms at the base of the big toe. Over time, this bump can become inflamed and painful. While there are many causes of bunions, tight narrow shoes and a positive family history are two of the most common.
In addition to causing pain, bunions can make it difficult to put on shoes – and find the right shoes at all. Bunions can also affect mobility and lead to calluses elsewhere on the foot.
Unfortunately, bunions do not go away on their own. In fact, they tend to worsen over time. While conservative treatment like anti-inflammatory medication, bunion splints and pads can help relieve the pain, it does not correct the deformity – nor does it slow down its progression.
Early bunion correction via an innovative “keyhole” method, which we offer at The Bone & Joint Centre, has been shown to improve outcomes, as compared to late intervention with open traditional surgery. The advantages of this technique include less post-operative pain and wound complications. However, this can only be done for early-stage mild to moderate deformities. Once the bunion is at the severe stage, open surgery is preferred, though it is more painful and has a higher risk of wound complications. Therefore, an early assessment for symptomatic bunions is recommended.
The Bone & Joint Centre
#14-15 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, 3 Mount Elizabeth
9898 7781 | bjc.sg