BUNIONS

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place. This causes the tip of your big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore.

CAUSES

The exact cause is unknown. Factors likely include:

• Inherited foot type
• Foot stress or injuries
• Deformities present at birth
• Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis

Bunions might be associated with certain types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory types, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of a bunion include:

• A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe
• Swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint
• Corns or calluses — these often develop where the first and second toes rub against each other
• Ongoing pain or pain that comes and goes
• Limited movement of your big toe

RISK FACTORS

These factors might increase your risk of bunions:

• High heels. Wearing high heels forces your toes into the front of your shoes, often crowding your toes.
• Ill-fitting shoes. People who wear shoes that are too tight, too narrow or too pointed are more likely to develop bunions.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. Having this inflammatory condition can make you more likely to develop bunions.
• The tendency to develop bunions might be the result of an inherited problem with the structure or anatomy of your foot.

COMPLICATIONS

Possible complications of bunions include:

• This painful condition occurs when the small fluid-filled pads that cushion the bones near your joints become inflamed.
• An abnormal bend that occurs in the middle joint of a toe, usually the toe next to your big toe, can cause pain and pressure.
• This condition causes pain and swelling in the ball of your foot.

PREVENTION

To help prevent bunions, choose shoes carefully. They should have a wide toe box — no pointy toes — and there should be space between the tip of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.

Your shoes should conform to the shape of your feet without squeezing or pressing any part of your foot.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT

Homoeopathic remedies effective for the treatment of Bunion. Some of the important remedies are given below

BENZOIC ACID --- An important remedy for bunion. Tearing pain in big toe. Urinary symptom is very important for the selection of this remedy. The urine is hot, dark brown, offensive, similar to horse’s urine.

RHODODENDRON — Bunion with gout. Swelling and tearing pain. Worse from rest. Cannot sleep unless legs are crossed. Pain in Achilles tendon on stepping.

HYPERICUM PERF. —Bunion with tingling and burning pain. Joints feel bruised.