Attention Bunion Pain Sufferers:
Do you or someone you know suffer with Bunion Pain?
Do you have to walk on the outsides of your feet to avoid using the Big Toe?”
Have you tried treatment or even surgery, but with no help??!!
If this is you or someone you know, this month’s newsletter has some real valuable information…
Revealed: 3 Causes of the BUNION
A Bunion is the protuberance of the head of one of the bones in the foot. They are often painful in those who have them, and performing a thorough assessment is essential in properly treating it.
There are typically three possibilities for a Bunion: 1) Structural Hallux Valgus, 2) Laterally Deviated Distal Phalanx (or Functional Hallux Valgus), and 3) a “True” Bunion.
A Structural Hallux Valgus is occurring when the Hallux (a long bone in the foot) cannot be brought back to neutral from its improper position. For this instance, surgery to repair the structural mal-alignment is indicated, followed by physical therapy to restore motion and positional awareness throughout the foot and ankle.
A Functional Hallux Valgus occurs when the Hallux can be brought back to neutral. Once brought back to neutral, a clinician should assess for joint restrictions, or the possible occurrence of soft tissue restrictions or weak muscles in the foot (intrinsics), which may be effecting the position of the bones that make up the first toe. The treatment strategy for a Functional Hallux Valgus is to manipulate the joint or soft tissue restriction, or work to improve the engagement of the foot intrinsics if weakness is evident.
A True Bunion occurs when there is too much mobility of the 1st TMT (a joint toward the middle of your foot). This causes some bones in your foot to move out of place, forming the appearance of the Bunion. When a Tue Bunion is determined, a clinician may manually place the bones that make up the 1st toe in a neutral position, and then find the there is suddenly significant increase in big toe mobility…and with less pain! The treatment strategy for this occurrence is to utilize stabilization techniques for the big toe and to improve the positional awareness.
We at John Lathrop Physical Therapy specialize in spine and sports injuries, and have helped hundreds of athletes and hard-working New Yorkers not only come back after injury, but better enjoy their lives.