New Patient Bunion Assessment
Only $25* Usually $100
*Fully Claimable on your private health insurance
Bunions Fairlight
Alternative Foot Solutions offer gentle, hands on treatment for bunions without the need for surgery or orthotics to patients in Fairlight and surrounding areas.
What is a Bunion?
A Bunions are a deviation of the big toe, where the big toe joint shifts toward the middle of the foot. This can be accompanied with a bony growth that turns into a large lump. The term bunion is a very broad term that can refer to a number of conditions. The technical term is Hallux Abducto Valgus or HAV.
Research shows that bunions are extremely prevalent in Australia, affecting 1/3 of the population. Over the age of 60, it’s suggested to be as high as 70%.
What Causes a Bunion?
- Misalignment of your foot
- The way you stand and walk
- Weakness in the muscles of your foot
- Tight shoes
All of which are preventable if treated as early as possible
How do I know if I’m at risk of getting a bunion?
- Any one in my family has a bunion
- Pain in my big toe joint (sometimes this can be the last sign)
- A deviation of my big toe
- My big toe is getting closer to my second toe
- May see the big toe joint start to become enlarged or develop a bony growth
If you fall into any of these categories, then we strongly suggest getting your potential bunion assessed as often pain is the last symptom. The earlier bunions are treated the lower the likelihood that you will need surgery.
The signs and symptoms of a bunion include:
- A deviation of my big toe
- My big toe is getting closer to my second toe
- May see the big toe joint start to become enlarged or develop a bony growth
- Anyone in my family has a bunion
- Pain in my big toe joint (sometimes this can be the last sign)
- Harder to fit into shoes
If you fall into any of these categories, then we strongly suggest getting your potential bunion assessed as often pain is the last symptom. The earlier bunions are treated the lower the likelihood that you will need surgery.
Diagnosis of a Bunion
Most doctors or foot specialists can tell if you have a bunion just by looking at your big toe in an initial foot assessment. After the careful examination, a weight-bearing x-ray is needed to determine the severity of the bunion, its angle, and whether or not the joint is damaged. The x-ray can even help the doctor or foot specialist uncover what might have caused the issue, which can help them decide the type of bunion treatment options to recommend.
Once the bunion is treated, the foot is x-rayed again to see how the toe has responded to the treatment. The x-rays help to show how the toe positioning has shifted by providing a side-by-side comparison opportunity of the foot bone structures before and after.