When do bunions become a problem?  

Not all bunions cause obvious health issues. The reality is that it is possible to go through your entire life with a bunion and not experience any pain or discomfort. So, how do you know when to seek treatment for your bunion? 

What is a bunion? 

There can be some confusion about what a bunion actually is, a bunion is broad term that describes a number of conditions that affects your big toe. If we were being technical, we would typically associate the term bunion with a deviation and a bony growth over the big toe.  

When do bunions occur?  

Bunions become present in many cases as early as 12 years of age. There is a higher prevalence in girls than boys and over all various studies suggest that bunions affect up to 1 in 3 people throughout various ages. 

Bunions often start with a small lump or slight deviation of the big toe and can progress very rapidly form there. We often see people in their 40’s and 50’s who remember when their bunion started forming in their early teens.  

The reason you get a bunion is the way you stand and the way you walk, which is caused by the alignment of your foot and ankle. These traits that lead to a bunion are usually passed down from parents. Both high arch and low arch foot types are commonly associated with bunion development.  

What are the signs a bunion is forming? 

• A deviation of the big toe  
• A lump around the side of the big toe  
• Any pain or redness around the big toe 

What are the factors that make you more prone to a bunion?  

• Bunions in the family  
• Tight fitting shoes  
• If you roll in or have a very high arch  

Of course, the one cause of bunions we commonly hear about is wearing heels and of course this can be a factor. Heels can noticeably be a big accelerator to a bunion but in my experience are not as prevalent as commonly thought. I have plenty of men attend our clinic with a whooping bunion who have never come close to a pair of heels.  

When should I seek bunion treatment?  

Ideally, as soon as you notice a change in your feet or if you have a history of bunions in the family, book an appointment with a podiatrist.  

Conservative bunion care is most effective when started as early as possible. Leaving a bunion untreated can lead to the formation of osteoarthritis which is not reversible. The more advanced your bunion is the less treatment options become available for managing it. 

You also want to get a podiatrist to check your feet who has some experience in this area. Believe it or not, most podiatrists do not have a lot of knowledge in the conservative care of bunions and will often recommend unnecessary bunion surgery as a treatment option. Whilst surgeons are excellent at what they do, surgery is always the last resort. Make sure you see someone with experience in this area who can offer you a range of non-invasive treatment options first. Even if your bunion is a little more advanced than you would like, there is still a place for conservative management, and you can still get great results and avoid the need for surgery long term.

Our Bunion Treatment Process 

At Sydney Bunion Clinic, Foot Mobilisation Therapy is our speciality and we have successfully treated thousands of patients, helping them avoid bunion surgery. 

What’s the process if you do want to get your bunion checked?  

1. Book an assessment  

2. We assess the underlying cause of the bunion and discuss options  

3. Come up with a plan to get the best result long term and in the vast majority of cases avoid surgery 

We offer an initial Bunion Assessment, where we run through a series of examination and evaluation to determine the cause and condition of your bunion and assess the best treatment options for bunion treatment or correction. 

Your Bunion Assessment Includes: 

• Initial consultation 
• Biomechanical Examination 
• Gait Analysis 
• Foot Mobilisation Therapy Evaluation 
• Diagnosis and Explanation of the underlying cause of your bunion 
• A Personalised Treatment Plan 

To book your initial bunion assessment, or to find out more on our bunion treatment options contact us on 8966 9300. Ready to get started? Book an assessment online today! 

For a limited time, Sydney Bunion Clinic are providing new patients with a $35 dollar bunion assessment (usually $100). 

Tags: Bunion Treatment Sydney

New Patient Bunion Assessment

Only $35* Usually $100

*Claimable on your private health insurance

BOOK AN ASSESSMENT