Bunion or also known as hallux valgus in medical term is a condition where the base of the big toe is inflamed and swollen, causing pain. Khurram Khan, assistant professor in New York College of Podiatric Medicine in Manhattan explained that foot exercises will not change the bunion because it is biomechanical deformity, however it helps in reducing symptoms and improves flexibility.
Researchers agreed that physiotherapy should focus mainly on relieving pain and enhancing foot function, secondarily is fixing the deformity (Wulker N and Mittag F, 2012)
Below are the stages of bunion:
There are few factors that can result to bunion such as wearing tight and narrow shoes, foot deformity, and medical condition such as arthritis.
How physiotherapy can help with bunion?
It is a physiotherapist’s role to provide treatment that can improve the quality of life. To treat bunions, treatment programs can include exercises, hands-on care and patient education, where your physiotherapist will design and advice the program that treats your specific symptoms. Treatment aims is mainly to enhance the function of ankle, foot and toes, to reduce your pain, as well as to get you moving again.
Below are exercises for correction of bunion:
1. Toe point & curls
- Place both feet on the floor
- Move the toes up and down as the video shown
- Repeat 20-30 times, 3 sets
2. Toe spread
- Place both feet on the floor
- Open the toes as the video shown
- Repeat 20-30 times, 3 sets
3. Toe circles
- Place both feet on the floor
- Use finger to grab the toe and move in circular motion
- Repeat for clockwise and followed by anti-clockwise
- Repeat 20-30 times, 3 sets
4. Figure 8 rotation
- Place both feet on the floor
- Use finger to grab the toe and move in a “8” motion
- Repeat 20-30 times, 3 sets
5. Assisted toe abduction
- Place both feet on the floor
- Place a resistance band in between the toe
- Move the toe outward as the video shown
- Hold for 10s for each pull
- Repeat for 10 times, 3 sets
6. Marble pickup
- Place both feet on the floor
- Use toe to pick the marble up and can place it into a cup
- Repeat 20-30 times, 3 sets
7. Ball roll
- Place a tennis ball under the foot
- Place a downward pressure on the tennis ball
- Roll the tennis up and down
- Repeat 20-30 times, 3 sets
Prepared by:
Fatima Zahra & Zulaikha Othman
Your Physio Cheras & Ampang