I Have a Foot Problem

Please select your foot problem:

• Bunion
• Ball of foot pain
• Stress Fracture
• Hammertoe/Claw foot
• Flat feet/Fallen arches
• Arthritis
• Hallux varus

PROBLEM

A bunion is a mal-alignment of the two bones that form the base joint of the big toe. Due to this mal-alignment, the big toe begins to angle inward towards the other toes, thrusting the base joint out further in the opposite direction. Risk factors include genetic predisposition, weak connective tissue, wearing tight narrow shoes and especially high heels. Bunions are more prevalent in women.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Below are common signs and symptoms of bunions, which vary from person to person.

• A protruding bump on the outside of your big toe
• Pain
  • Persistent or sporadic
  • Dull, achy or sharp in or around the big toe
  • While walking or in narrow shoes
• Restricted movement of your big toe
• Inflammation, redness, swelling or soreness around your big toe joint
• Corns, calluses and/or blisters
• With time, more severe symptoms can occur, such as:
  • Arthritis of the big toe joint
  • Stress fractures
  • Problems walking

How to determine the Severity of your bunion: The Manchester Scale

The Manchester Scale is a noninvasive self-assessment tool for you use and evaluate the severity of your bunion on a scale of 1 (no bunion) to 4 (a severe bunion). Once you rate your bunion, you’ll be able to find the bunion treatment that works best for you.

1: No Bunion	2: Mild Bunion	3: Moderate Bunion	4: Severe Bunion

Some Examples of Mild to Moderate Bunions

1st Degree	2nd Degree	3rd Degree	4th Degree

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Sharp, shooting, dull, aching or burning pain in the ball of the foot
• Pain that worsens while standing, walking, or running
• Numbness or tingling in your toes

SOLUTION

• Wear the Mid-foot Arch Support Brace with an adjustable dual strapping support system, which provides inward and upward support to your metatarsal arch
• Place a teardrop-shaped metatarsal pad directly behind the ball of your foot to redistribute pressure
• Use custom orthotics to provide appropriate arch support

Stress Fracture

PROBLEM

Stress fractures are common among runners, dancers, military personnel, athletes and anyone who is constantly on their feet. Stress fractures are usually caused by ‘overuse’ or repetitive action on the bone. They are most common on weight bearing bones of the lower leg and foot.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Pain
• Swelling
• Localized tenderness
• Increased pain and swelling during activities
• Decreased pain and swelling while resting

SOLUTION

• Wear the mid-foot arch support brace with an adjustable dual strapping support system that provides inward and upward support to your metatarsal arch. The support brace should also include an adjustable teardrop shaped metatarsal pad that will help redistribute pressure throughout your toes
• Place a teardrop-shaped metatarsal pad directly behind the ball of your foot to redistribute pressure
• Use an orthotic support with a metatarsal pad, which redistributes the weight away from the stressed metatarsal
• Rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication
• Give yourself time to heal without engaging in repetitive high-impact exercises and weight bearing activities is required

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• A hammer or claw like appearance of the toe
• Corns on the top of the toe
• Callus on the sole of the foot
• Pain and difficulty moving the toe
• Over time, the toe stiffens and will no longer move
• Painful to walking or wear shoes

SOLUTION

• Wear the Bunion Aid® splint to align your big toe and create space between the first and second toes. The adjustable teardrop shaped metatarsal pad helps redistribute pressure throughout your toes
• Use gel toe sleeves and hammertoe splint loops to help protect and relieve pain
• Wear wide-fitting toe-boxed shoes to help avoid pressure on your toes
• Avoid tight and narrow shoes that push your toes together and against the end of the shoe

An overstretched tendon that supports the arch of the foot or an untreated childhood flat foot condition can result in fallen arches or flat feet. While walking, fallen arches cause a person’s foot to roll inward (over- pronation). Over-pronation negatively effects the way you walk which in turn can lead to problems with your joints, balance, knees, hips and gait.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Arch on the inside of the foot is flat While standing for long periods of time or after sports, your feet ache or are tired Painful and achy feet, especially in the arches and heels Some people experience ankles, legs and/or back pain

SOLUTION

Wear custom or “off the shelf” orthotics insoles

Use the mid-foot arch support brace with an adjustable dual strapping support system that provides an inward and upward support to the metatarsal arch of the collapsed arch

Exercise your feet, as recommended by your medical professional

Arthritis

PROBLEM

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It is a degenerative condition of the cartilage and generally occurs with age. When the mechanics of the foot have shifted in a way that places excessive stress on the joints, the cartilage that protects your joints starts to break down creating friction and inflammation. Foot arthritis is very painful because the feet support a person’s body weight. Common causes of foot arthritis are heredity, foot injuries and infection of the joints.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Pain, swelling or tenderness
• Stiffness or reduced motion
• Redness and a feeling of heat in the feet
• Difficulty walking

Hallux varus

PROBLEM

Hallux varus is a major complication from bunion surgery. Overcorrection causes the big toe to shift outward. Signs typically show up within the first week post-surgery. Other causes include trauma, injury and congenital deformity.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• The big toe points away from the second toe
• Pain which is usually caused by friction of the big toe crowding against a shoe

• Splint the toe immediately using the Bunion Aid® Post Surgical Splint to prevent further shifting, provide pain relief, protection and correction through range of motion.
• Consult your medical profession. Potentially, you may need to have Hallux varus surgery to straighten the toe and then splint immediately to prevent further shifting.