Symptoms of a Bunion
To understand the pain due to the hallux valgus it must be remembered that the pain is not often in the bunion (medial prominence) but in other parts of the foot. This is because the appearance of a hallux valgus normally produces a dysfunction of the foot and an overall change in its support. This situation of disequilibrium creates a sequence of very characteristic changes in the foot.
Hallux valgus causes symptoms in four specific forms:
Pain in the medial prominence which appears due to the bones of the foot deviating. This pain is due to pressure and the shoes rubbing.
Pain in the sole of the foot (metatarsalgia) due to it being unable to carry out its normal support function, causing excess pressure under the metatarsal bones. Metatarsalgia can be very disabling.
Loss of sensitivity, tingling or a burning sensation in the little toes. Some people suffer these symptoms due to the pressure caused by the deformity of the metatarsals on the intermetatarsal nerves. This particular situation is popularly known as Morton's neuroma. It is sometimes accompanied by calluses on the sole of the foot (hyperkeratosis).
Deformity of the adjacent toes. Due to the deviation of the big toe, there is compression and displacement of the adjacent toes that are also deformed (claw toes, hammer toes, etc.).
As such the symptoms of hallux valgus are due to two factors:
- The deformity of the big toe itself and the other toes (generally due to the pressure and rubbing over the prominent areas).
- The change in the support resulting from it (pain in the sole of the foot below head of the metatarsals or metatarsalgia).
Substantiated information by:
Published: 20 February 2018
Updated: 24 March 2025
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