Evaluation of the condition we commonly call a 'bunion' is a rather complex
process most podiatric physicians perform routinely. Many patients will present
to the clinic with complaints of pain or pressure from "the bump on the
inside of my foot." Of course, they will often call it a bump, bunion, or
spur, but I have not yet had any patients present themselves complaining of
their "hallux abducto-valgus deformity." Yet immediately, as a foot
and ankle surgeon, I translate the "bump" into a triplane orthopedic
deformity having osseous and soft tissue components and involving four separate
bones. Interesting how quickly that happens when you think about it.
In the course of evaluation, clinical aspects such as how large the
prominence is, how painful it is to pressure and movement, the tendency to
track with range of motion, the extent and quality of motion, the amount of
instability at adjacent joints, and secondary anomalies such as sub second
metatarsal tyloma are noted. Plain-film radiographs are certainly a routine
part of the complete examination, and will include the obligatory 3-projection
series: dorsoplantar, medial oblique, and lateral images. From these
projections, we define angulational values and make note of other anomalies
such as degenerative joint changes, articular flattening, bone stock and width,
and any adjacent conditions that may contribute to the deformity or require
attention in the course of any corrective procedures.
Treatment options include bunion splint's, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, Cortizone injections, shoe gear
modification, and surgery as a last resort.
There
are over 300,000 bunion operations performed in this country and overall it's a
very successful way of helping with the deformity .
Surgery does require three weeks of wearing a boot but does not require any
non weight bearing which used to be required in the past with older surgical
procedures.
Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC 101 6th Street N.W. Winter Haven, FL 33881 Phone: 863-299-4551 http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com
