Bunions & Hammertoe Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Bunions and Hammertoe occur when bones, muscles, tendons or ligaments in the front part of the foot move out of place. The result is the formation of a bump on the joint at the base of your big toe (bunion) or an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe (hammertoe).
The type of shoes you wear can cause crowding or irritation that lead to the development of a bunion or hammertoe. Other contributors include existing foot deformities and medical conditions, such as arthritis.
Hammertoe features an abnormal bend in the joints of one or more toes, making movement difficult or painful.
Bunions result in a bulging bump on the outside base of the big toe, swelling, redness, soreness, and limited movement.
Podiatrists and orthopedic foot specialists can help to diagnose your condition through a physical examination and x-ray, if necessary.
Relieving the pain and pressure that come with bunions and hammertoe may simply involve changing your footwear or wearing shoe inserts. Severe cases can be addressed with surgery.
