Read a short article here that arose from a frequent patient question in the context of foot surgery. Dr. Gottlieb answers briefly and precisely. More in-depth information is offered to the interested reader with links. Today we answer the following question: "I have a bump on my big toe: what is it? And what can I do about it?"
Bump on the big toe: What is hallux valgus?
There are many names for this bump on the big toe. However, it always means the same thing when you hear terms like bunion, bunion of the big toe, ganglion of the big toe or crookedness of the big toe. Patients who have newly discovered a hallux valgus on their big toe usually speak of the bunion on the foot.
The bunion is so called because it is located directly on the inner edge of the foot, at the level of the football on the big toe. Initially, there is usually only a slight prominence, which over time - often over several years - becomes larger and more clearly visible.
In technical language, such a bump on the foot is called hallux valgus. It can develop for a variety of reasons: hereditary predisposition, shoes that are too tight or a physical malposition that affects the body's statics and the feet. Unfortunately, the development of such a bunion is not only accompanied by visual changes, but almost always by pain, which usually increases as the bunion grows and can trigger repeated inflammations
What can you do about a bump on the foot?
In the early stages, hallux valgus can be counteracted with foot gymnastics and insoles, and it may also be possible to stop further growth. In the advanced stage, only a hallux valgus operation can often help.
Hallux valgus surgery is the favoured method for removing the bump on the big toe
Hallux valgus surgery, i.e. the surgical removal of this bump on the big toe, is often the preferred course of treatment. Even though a hallux operation takes a few weeks to heal, the advantages that one benefits from permanently after the removal of the bunion clearly outweigh the disadvantages. For example, painful inflammations are over at once, postural damage due to a hallux valgus deformity can be avoided, and the risk of falling or tripping is reduced enormously because your footing becomes more secure again.
There are different hallux surgery techniques and procedures, depending on the type and severity of the bunion. Find out more about everything you need to know about hallux valgus and hallux surgery here:
Tonio Gottlieb, MD is a foot surgeon in Berlin with his own private practice. He specialises exclusively in treating the foot - the WHOLE foot. This is important to mention because most orthopaedists and surgeons usually only treat the forefoot. If you have a bump on your foot, you have come to the right place.
However, any treatment for the foot must also pay attention to the feet in particular and the body statics as a whole. Tonio Gottlieb, MD examines his patients very precisely and shows clear treatment recommendations. His tip: "If you have a bump on your toe, go to a designated foot specialist in time to avoid pain and possible inflammation or secondary diseases such as arthrosis in the foot."
