What is a Bunion?

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Bunions (“Hallux Valgus” in medical terms) can easily be identified visually as a “bump” on the side of the big toe, but did you know that the actual root cause of a bunion is actually located in the middle of your foot; an unstable joint that allows your toe to become misaligned.

What are the symptoms?¹

Typical symptoms include:
> A bump on side or top of foot
> Pain
> Swelling
> Pressure
> Numbness

Symptoms tend to worsen when toes are crowded or when standing for long periods.

What are the symptoms?¹

Typical symptoms include:
> A bump on side or top of foot
> Pain
> Swelling
> Pressure
> Numbness

Symptoms tend to worsen when toes are

crowded or when standing for long periods.

What causes them?¹

While constrained footwear or standing for long periods may aggravate or accelerate your condition, your bunion is more likely caused by:

Genetic predisposition

Biomechanical imbalance

What about high heels?

What causes them?¹

While constrained footwear or standing for long periods may aggravate or accelerate your condition, your bunion is more likely caused by:

Genetic predisposition

So you have a bunion. Don’t be embarrassed. Did you know that around a quarter of the population has them? Bunions tend to run in families because they are most commonly caused by hereditary defects in the foot, resulting in a weak mechanical structure.

So, whereas you might have inherited your mother’s good sense of humor and beautiful smile, you might also (eek!) inherit her bunions.

Biomechanical imbalance

Bunions are often caused by imbalances of the foot’s anatomical structure. Any changes in weight or structure can cause your foot bones to adjust and move to constantly work to keep our bodies balanced.

Life experiences such as childbearing or having our feet expand as we age can act as a bunion catalyst.

Whenever the bones of our foot get out of alignment, trouble can start.

What about high heels?

It’s a myth that wearing high heels or pointy shoes that crowd toes actually cause bunions. However if you were born with any tendency toward mechanical imbalances, these types of shoes push the foot’s bones into unnatural shapes, aggravating the condition and causing symptoms to appear earlier in life.

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How are they diagnosed?¹

During a clinical exam, your doctor will x-ray your foot to determine the severity of your condition along with any other conditions

Where do you fall on the condition scale?

How are they diagnosed?¹

During a clinical exam, your doctor will x-ray your foot to determine the severity of your condition along with any other conditions

Where do you fall on the condition scale?

What if I do nothing?¹

During the early stages, your pain can be managed but it will typically worsen and you may develop some additional symptoms, including:

> Arthritis
> Calluses
> Toes cross over

> Hammertoes
> Bone spurs
> Ball of foot pain

> Arthritis
> Calluses
> Toes cross over
> Hammertoes
> Bone spurs
> Ball of foot pain

Remember, bunions are a progressive disorder and will not go away on their own.

OK, what are my treatment options?

Essentially, there are three approaches:

1

Non-surgical or conservative treatments²

These treatments are designed to keep you more comfortable, but will not address the root cause. Conservative treatments include:
> Toe spacers
> Pads/splints
> Inserts/Orthotics

2

Traditional 2D (osteotomy) surgery

Traditional surgery cuts and shifts your bone to address only the cosmetic “bump” of your bunion; without addressing the complex, 3D issues or the unstable foundation.

3

Lapiplasty^® 3D Bunion Correction^™

The Lapiplasty® Procedure is designed to address all three dimensions of your bunion and permanently secure the root cause of your bunion – an unstable joint.

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Important Risk Information: Only a surgeon can tell if the Lapiplasty^® Procedure is right for you. As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. Potential risks include but are not limited to infection, discomfort from the presence of the implant, loosening of the implant, and loss of correction with nonunion or malunion.

Treace Medical Concepts, Inc. 203 Fort Wade Road, Suite 150 Ponte Vedra, FL 32081	Linkedin Twitter Facebook
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Treace Medical Concepts, Inc.
203 Fort Wade Road, Suite 150
Ponte Vedra, FL 32081