Why you have a Bunion and Big Toe Pain
First, what is a bunion?
A Bunion is a callus that develops over the inside of the head of the first metatarsal bone, and the bursa becomes thickened and inflamed in addition to excessive bone formation. A bunion typically forms as a result of hallux valgus which is a medial deviation of the head of the first metatarsal bone in relation to the center of the body.
Hallux valgus may result from hereditary factors and is often familial. Women tend to be affected more than men. Shoe choice with a small toe box can contribute to hallux valgus in addition to foot, ankle, and leg function.
The big toe is an important part of the walking cycle and functions with running, jumping, lunging, etc. Assessing hip, knee, ankle, and foot mobility, stability, and mechanics will help to understand how stresses are being dispersed throughout these activities and if the big toe is overcompensating due to structures surrounding it not functioning appropriately or the big toe may be not functioning optimally contributing to hallux valgus and a bunion.
If you’re starting to notice pain at the big toe or a deviation of the toe that may be concerning you, seek out a physical therapist to thoroughly assess your function to get a head of toe pain!
Thank you for reading and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!