What is a bunion?

That painful bump on the outside base of your big toe? That’s likely a bunion, or hallux valgus.

Bunions develop most often at the base of the big toe where the joint is located. This joint (known as the Metatarsophalangeal joint) is where the first long bone of the foot meets the first bone of the big toe. Due to its location, bunions can often reduce the flexibility of the toe and cause continuous pain.

Bunions often develop slowly overtime. If left untreated, the normal structure of the bones may change, creating the bump you see on the foot. The deformity may gradually increase causing further deformities like the toes pushing against each other and overlapping. In time, it may become increasingly difficult to wear shoes or walk due to pain.

Bunions start out small, but usually get worse over time. Because the big toe joint flexes with each step, the bigger the bunion gets, the more painful and stiff it may become.

Non-surgical treatment options

In many cases, the symptoms of bunions can be treated without surgery. Some options that can relieve pain and aid mobility include:

Changes in footwear

  • Wider, flat shoes that do not restrict the toes can relieve pressure on joints and ease discomfort

  • Padding can cushion the bunion, protecting it from rubbing against the edge of the shoe

  • Orthotics, or shoe-inserts, can take pressure off your feet and the bunion, reducing friction and pain

Icing the affected area

Over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Always consult with your doctor on the best course of treatment for you, including non-surgical options.

Surgical treatment options

While non-surgical treatments can ease the burden of living with bunions, they are by no means a long-term solution and do not correct the root cause of bunions. To help reduce pain, preserve mobility, and improve the appearance of your foot, there are several surgical options a physician may recommend:

Soft tissue correction

Usually done in combination with bone alignment surgery (osteotomy), this procedure can shorten the loose tissues and lengthen the tight ones to create balance in the soft tissues around the big toe.

Osteotomy

This procedure involves smaller cuts to the bones in the foot in order to realign the joint. Once cut, the surgeon fixes the break with pins, screws, and plates, making the bones straighter and the joint balanced.

Arthrodesis

This procedure involves removing the arthritic joint surfaces and inserting screws, wires, or plates to hold the surface together until healed.

Bunionectomy

This procedure involves removing the bump from the toe joint. It is usually performed in combination with soft tissue procedures, but even so, it rarely corrects the cause of bunions and does not prevent the bunion deformity from returning1

Take the

next step

Find a surgeon in your region to help you find the right solution for you.

Reference:
  1. Walker, Harris. Foot Ankle Clin N Am vol. 24 (2019) 641–648
Important information

Bunion surgery is intended for individuals with deformities of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (the joint at the base of the big toe). Based on a determination jointly made by a patient and a healthcare professional in consideration of a patient’s unique clinical factors, bunion surgery may be appropriate for certain individuals, and certain products, like those discussed below, may be used for treatment.

The PROstep MICA Screw System is intended to be used for fixation of bone fractures (e.g., repair of broken bones) or bone reconstruction (e.g. restoring shape, alignment or structure of a damaged, deformed or surgically altered bone).

The Ortholoc 2 Lapidus with Rotation System is intended to be used for the stabilization and fixation of fresh fractures, revision procedures, joint fusion (joining together), and reconstruction of bones of the feet and toes. Specific examples include: Arthrodesis (surgical fusion) of the first metatarsal cuneiform joint (base joint of the big toe).

The ProStep MICA Screw System and the Ortholoc 2 Lapidus with Rotation System are intended for patients in generally good health. The area treated should have good blood flow and normal nerve function. The skin must be healthy enough to fully cover the implant. The muscles and tendons should be strong enough to support normal movement. The bone also needs to be strong enough to hold the implant securely.

The Ortholoc 2 Lapidus with Rotation System and the PROstep MICA Screw System are not appropriate for patients who have certain types of infections, physiologically or psychologically inadequate patients (patients who have certain mental health conditions or physical conditions that may make them inappropriate candidates for surgery), patients with irreparable tendon system (tendons are so damaged they cannot be repaired), growing patients with open epiphyses (patients who’s bones are still growing), patients with high levels of activity, or patients that may benefit from more conservative treatment (such as footwear modification or physical therapy).

Any surgery has serious risks. The risks associated with the aforementioned product systems and/or procedures include but are not limited to infection, pain, swelling, and inflammation around the implant. Certain implant-related risks which may lead to revision of the implant or additional surgeries include implant fracture (breakage), loosening, dislocation (moving out of place). Additional risks include bone resorption (bone loss) or bone over-production (extra bone growth), allergic reaction to the implant materials, untoward histological responses possibly involving macrophages and/or fibroblasts (the body, including the body’s cells and tissues, may react abnormally to the implant over time), migration of particle wear debris possibly resulting in a bodily response (small pieces of the implant may wear off and migrate through the body resulting in a reaction), and embolism (blocked blood vessel). Additionally, delayed union (bone is taking longer than expected to heal), non-union (failure of bone to heal) or failure of the implant could occur.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Stryker is not dispensing medical advice. Please speak to your doctor to decide if bunion surgery is appropriate for you. Only your doctor can make the medical decision about which products and treatments are right for your own individual condition. As with any surgery, bunion surgery carries certain risks. Your surgeon will explain all the possible complications of the surgery, as well as side effects. Additionally, the lifetime of an implant is not infinite and varies with each individual. Also, each patient will experience a different post-operative activity level, depending on their own individual clinical factors. Your doctor will help counsel you about how to best maintain your activities to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device. It is important to closely follow your doctor's instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care.   

Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Mica, Ortholoc, PROstep, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders. 

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