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Hallux
valgus
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A bunion is
a painful bump at the base of the great toe. It is also
called "hallux valgus," a latin word that means the
displacement of the great toe toward the other toes. The
bump results from the inflammatory swelling and misalignment
of the great toe with additional bone
formation.
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- Painful bumps on the inside base of the great toe. The pain is due to inflammation and pressure from the shoe.
- Swelling, local tenderness and redness of the skin over the great toe
- The great toe may be displaced towards the second toe, forcing the second toe out of normal alignment.
- If the condition worsens, patients
may be unable to walk due to severe
pain.
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- Genetic factors -- some Bunions tend to be inherited
- Tight, narrow shoes
- Bunions usually affect women
- Tight, high heels and narrow shoes may increase the risk of Bunions.
- Flat feet also increase the risk for the formation of Bunions.
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The bunion is usually diagnosed by a physical examination of the foot. An X-Ray is used to identify
the severity of hallux valgus (malaignment of bit toe), to
detect the underlying disease, such as gout or arthritis.
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- Conservative treatment
- The conservative treatment is usually enough to relieve the pain and pressure on the great toe.
- Roomy shoes, protective pad inserts and anti-inflammatory medications help to ease the pain and inflammation.
- Bunion splint and stretching exercises of big toe are helpful as well.
- Surgery -- If all of the
conservative treatment does not work, then surgery may be
considered to correct the hallux valgus condition. The main
purpose of surgery is to remove the bunion and to realign
the bone of great toe.
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- Select wide shoes with plenty of room for the toes.
- Avoid the tight shoes and high heels
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