Category: Misc

A bunion is really just an enlargement of the joint, typically the big toe joint. Invariably it is mostly bone, but there is often some bursa and soft tissue swelling involved as well.

Hallux Valgus is the term that was traditionally used to describe the angulation of the big toe (hallux) over towards the lessor toes. However, valgus is a term that describes a position in the frontal plane, whereas that angulation of the big toe over towards the lessor toes occurs in the transverse plane, so it should have been called hallux abductus and not hallux valgus. But, as well as abducting in the transverse plane, the hallux does also rotate in the frontal plane, so it does go into valgus in that place.

For the technically correct use of terminology, the correct term should be hallux abducto-valgus (HAV)

Bunions are so common and like so many other foot problems that are so common, there is so much misinformation being spread on the web about them. We thought it would be helpful to have an evidence based resource on the web that contained good science based information. We want to address those issues.

The cause of bunions is multi factorial, meaning many factors are involved. Its not just the shoes as there is an hereditary element to them. Bunions still do occur in those who do not wear shoes (but they are not as bad and not as painful in the shoe wearing populations). We want to address those issues.

When you get a bunion, there is no a lot that can be done to make it go away, except for surgery. There is not a lot that can be done to help the symptoms without surgery but they won’t help it go away. We want to address those issues.

So many issues and so little time. We will get to them all eventually.

In the meantime, check out:
The Bunion threads @ Podiatry Arena and the Bunions threads @ the Foot Health Forum.