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| Photograph of a typical Bunion |
The Misunderstood Bunion (Bunyan) – What are they and How
Do We Treat Them?
The Bunion (see photograph), not to be confused with the
mythical lumberjack Paul Bunyan (see photograph), can be a painful and
debilitating foot disorder. While both
Bunions / Bunyans are important, the proper course of medical care in each case
is distinctly different.
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| Paul Bunyan - Mythical Lumberjack |
What is a Bunion (Bunyan) and How Does it Occur?
A Bunion is an abnormal lump that occurs at the base of the
big toe. A Bunion forms when the big
toe cants inward, pushing against the smaller toes, and forcing the big toe joint in the
opposite direction. This abnormality is
known as a hallux valgus deformity.
Overtime, the unnatural position of the joint causes further crowding
of the toes and pain in the joint. The bursa -sac at the joint can become red and inflamed, causing the Bunion to grow in size. In
stark contrast a Bunyan is indigenous to the northeastern United States and
eastern Canadian woods. However,
Bunyan’s animal companion, “Babe the Blue Ox” can cause significant pain and
toe injury if she accidentally steps on a foot.
Bunion / Bunyan Risk Factors
There are several risk factors associated with contracting a
Bunion such as:
- Wearing shoes that fit to tightly
- Most commonly affect women at a rate 10x over men
- Continuous use of high heeled, narrow toed, tight fitting shoes
- Abnormal formation of the bone in the foot (congenital)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
There are relatively few risk factors to attracting Bunyans
such as:
- Wandering the woods of the Northeastern United States and eastern Canada
- Using a chainsaw or ax on public lands without a proper permit
- Significant inebriation to the point of hallucination
Treatment and Cures
As a first step, the following actions are recommended:
- Resting the foot and avoiding excessive running or walking
- Wear loose fitting shoes or shoes with a larger toe box
- The temporary use of anti-inflammatory medications
- Apply a Bunion splint or pad
In cases of persistent pain, surgery may be the only viable
option. Surgery is the last option
since it may not be entirely successful and it is strongly recommended that the
patient follow the aforementioned protocol before committing to surgery.
Avoiding or curing a Bunyan is relatively
straightforward. The following
recommendations have been known to cure Bunyan sightings.
- Avoid ingesting alcohol or narcotics
- Do not wander the woods with a chainsaw or ax
- Refrain from outdoor activities such as:
- Hiking
- Camping
- Hunting
- Fishing in remote areas
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| A Bunion and a Bunyan |
Conclusion and Recommendations
I hope that I have answered many of your questions regarding
Bunions and Bunyans. If you are a
having a problem, seek medical attention from a podiatrist or psychiatrist
immediately. It is usually apparent which type of medical professional you should consult. However, there are special circumstances where it can be difficult to ascertain which medical professional should be
consulted. In the photograph, a woman with a Bunion is sitting at the feet of a
Bunyan. Which medical professional
should she seek? I’ll leave that up to
you to decide……
Keep your feet happy!
Dr. Corns
