MD Podiatrist Discusses Consequences of Common Bunion

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “Sufferers of hallux valgus may first experience pain on the side of the second toe, not even technically part of the bunion. But the big toe is, indeed, bigger and can exert significant force on the neighboring digit. Repetitive pressure has many effects on skin, and many are not good, especially in the presence of vascular or neurologic incompetency (e.g., diabetic nerve problems and arterial disease).”

“A reliable byproduct of this bony migration is altered joint motion. Any time a joint moves chronically out of position, there will be increased wear on the cartilage, with inflammation and bone spur formation also generally resulting. This latter issue leads to bone growth on the side of the head of the metatarsal bone, adding to the size of the prominence,” says Dr. Michaels.  Genetics can preclude one to have this bunion bone move as it is the patency of a ligament that partially controls this stability or lack thereof.  Typically, most people get better without surgery and do fine with good shoes and custom orthotics. Bunion splints can help as can gel bunion sleeves.