Foot Bunions | Foot Specialist Toronto

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Book Appointment

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Our simple to use, online booking process makes it easy to book an appointment with a chiropodist for any of our services. No referral needed!

416-769-FEET(3338) 2481 Bloor St. W, Toronto [email protected]

Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Book Appointment

Sign Up for an Appointment

Our simple to use, online booking process makes it easy to book an appointment with a chiropodist for any of our services. No referral needed!

Bunions

Overview

What Are Bunions?

A Bunion (also known as “hallux valgus”) is a deformity affecting the joint that connects the big toe to the foot (the “first metatarsophalangeal joint” – or “MTP” joint). The 1st MTP joint is crucial for bearing and distributing our body’s weight when we’re on our feet. Although many think the bony protrusion at the base of the big toe is due to a bony growth, it is actually the joint sticking out as the big toe bends towards the second. The joint often becomes stiff, inflamed and painful. The outward protrusion of the joint can also make it difficult to find proper-fitting shoes.

Bunions are common: they affect about 23% of adults and occur more frequently in women than men. A bunion is a progressive foot deformity, meaning they usually form slowly over time. It is also irreversible without surgical intervention – although surgery is only indicated in severe cases. For most people, conservative routes of treatment will suffice to manage pain, slow the bunion’s progression and to prevent other painful disorders, like bursitis and arthritis.

When a bunion affects the joint at the base of the little toe, it’s called a “bunionette”.

Symptoms

What Are The Symptoms Of Bunions?

Bunions are a progressive disorder and develop slowly over time. Signs and symptoms include:

The big toe pointing or bending inward toward the other toes. This is often the earliest symptom: it starts as a small deviation but gradually grows over time.
The base of the big toe sticking outward more than usual.
A prominent bony bump at the base of the big toe
Irritation and redness of the skin around the bunion.
Inflammation and stiffness around the joint
Pain when walking or when pressure is applied to the bunion
Reduced range of motion or movement in the 1st MTP joint of affected foot.

Causes

What Causes Bunions to Form?

Any one (or a combination) of the following factors can cause or contribute to bunions.

Genetic predisposition, whether it be bunions in particular, foot shape and structure, or joint-related diseases (i.e.: arthritis)
Wearing overly tight, pointy or narrow shoes
Wearing high heels
Flat arches
Activities that place excessive pressure and strain on the toes and joints at their base, such as ballet or running
Natural joint wear and tear
Rheumatoid arthritis.

While they may be stylish, those beloved fancy high heels are one of the major reasons why bunions are more prevalent in women than men: the joint at the base of our big toe carries up to 60% of our body weight when walking and up to 3 times our body weight when jogging or running. When we wear high heels or repeatedly squeeze our feet into ill-fitting footwear, even more weight is put on that joint, which can trigger a bunion to form.

Once a bunion develops, narrow or tight fitting shoes will squeeze and put more pressure on the joint, which causes the bunion to grow.

Treatment

The goal of treating bunions is to resolve foot pain so that you can resume normal activities. The deformity itself cannot be fully corrected without surgery; however in most cases bunions can be effectively managed by conservative, non-surgical methods. Such treatments include:

Footwear Modification: This involves avoiding tight shoes that squeeze the toes, and high heels. You may also opt for orthopedic shoes that can accommodate the width of the bunion.

Anti-inflammatory medication: This reduces joint inflammation and relieves pain. Such medications include Ibuprofen, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Bunion splints: These are usually made of medical grade plastic and are strapped onto the big toe and midfoot. They are designed to straighten out the MTP joint and hold it in place.

Bunion aligner: This is a thin sleeve worn over the foot which makes it great to wear during the day in normal shoes. As the name suggests, it works to realign the big toe and bring it back to its natural position, without taking up too much room in your shoe.

Therapeutic taping: The joint is taped to help keep it in place, prevent further misalignment, and temporarily manage pain and inflammation.

Shoe stretching: A foot specialist can stretch your shoes where additional room is required, which will relieve pressure on the bunion without altering the overall size of the shoe, so you can keep your favourite shoes. At Feet First Clinic, our shoe stretcher has special attachment specifically designed for accommodating bunions

Supportive insoles or custom orthotics: Supporting collapsed arches and correcting faulty biomechanics can help slow the progression of bunions by reducing pressure and strain on the first MTP joint.
Bunion exercises: These exercises are very easy to do at home. They help to strengthen foot muscles to better support and stabilize the joint, ultimately decreasing pain caused by bunions.
Shockwave Therapy: This non-invasive treatment can help treat tight muscles and other soft tissue injuries that can often coincide with bunions.

All of these treatments are available in our foot clinic.

To treat your bunions, book a foot assessment with one of our chiropodists using our online booking form below, or call us at 416-769-3338 – no referral required! Our foot clinic is open Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.

Risk Factors

What Increases My Chances of Getting Bunions?

The following risk factors and activities can make one more vulnerable to developing bunions:

Genetics: This includes the shape and structure of your feet (which is hereditary), or any hereditary joint-related diseases (i.e.: arthritis)
Wearing overly tight, pointy or narrow shoes
Wearing high heels
Flat arches
Age – people over 65 are more susceptible to developing bunions due to the natural wear and tear of our joints over time.
Being overweight
Ballet or physical activities that place excess pressure on our toes and the joints at their base.
Spending excessive time spent on our feet (i.e.: jobs that require you to stay on your feet, such as nursing and teaching).
Rheumatoid arthritis.

Prevention

How Do I Prevent Bunions?

The most effective and practical thing you can do to prevent bunions is wear proper footwear. You can do this by:

Avoiding high heels (or at least restricting them to special occasions)
Avoiding narrow, pointed shoes that put excessive pressure on the big toe joint
Wearing shoes with good arch support and a wide toe box
Wearing running shoes that accommodate your foot type and gait pattern, especially when running long distances. This reduces the biomechanical forces that contribute to bunions

It’s important to remember: there is no need to sacrifice your feet for fashion. You may love the shoes, but if they don’t love you back, the relationship won’t be good for you in the long-run. The specially curated selection of dress shoes, Superfeet dress shoe inserts, and custom dress shoe orthotics at Feet First are living proof that you can be stylish and kind to your feet. After all, you deserve shoes that love you as much as you love them.

If you already have bunions, you can prevent the condition from getting worse by:

Using protective and supportive devices, such as splints, over-the-counter insoles or orthotics, which help position and realign the foot. A foot specialist or chiropodist at our Clinic can help you find the device that works best for you.
Getting footwear that accommodates and properly fits the bunion, which reduces pressure on the first MTP joint and gives it a chance to heal and improve.

The knowledgeable foot specialists at Feet First Clinic can help you find bunion-friendly shoes, sandals and boots that suit the unique shape and biomechanical needs of your feet. Book an appointment with a chiropodist today if you want to seek treatment for bunions or to determine if you may be at risk of developing bunions based on your family history, gait patterns, and foot alignment.