What is the difference between a podiatrist and a chiropodist?

In the UK, a podiatrist and chiropodist mean the same thing. Both titles describe an HCPC-registered foot health professional, although podiatrist is the more commonly used term today.

Bunions & Tailor's Bunion Treatment

Bunions, Juvenile Bunions, Tailor’s Bunion or Bunionette

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced HCPC-registered podiatrist who specialises in the non-surgical management of bunions (hallux valgus), juvenile bunions and tailor’s bunions (bunionettes).

A bunion is a bony swelling that forms on the base of your big toe joint (the first metatarsophalangeal joint). Your big toe then leans towards your second toe and this can cause inflammation, stiffness and pain.

Juvenile bunions are more commonly found in girls aged between 10 – 15 years old. A tailor’s bunion or bunionette is also a swelling, but it develops around the outside of your foot at the base of the little toe.

You may wish to seek advice from an experienced podiatrist if your bunion is painful, changes shape, affects your walking or makes it difficult for you to wear your shoes.

Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of bunions, their symptoms, causes and treatment.

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This page explains the symptoms, causes and non-surgical treatment of bunions and when to seek advice.

Bunions, Juvenile Bunions, Tailor’s Bunion or Bunionette

Bunions can develop slowly, and the bony swelling can gradually get larger over time. Bunions are far more common in women and in older individuals, but can occur in people of all ages. Tailor’s bunions, on your little toe, are similar in symptoms and causes as bunions on your big toe but are not as common.

Symptoms of bunions and tailor’s bunion

Symptoms of bunions include:

Joint protrusion: A visible bony bump at the base of the big or little toe.
Inflammation: Redness, swelling and a joint that feels warm or shiny to he touch.
Localised pain: Tenderness or pain under the ball of your foot or at the site of the bump.
Skin changes: Calluses, corns or hardened skin where your toes rub together.
Foot shape changes: Changes to the shape of your foot making shoes hard to fit.

These symptoms can get worse if the bunion is not treated.

Causes of bunions and tailor’s bunion

The exact cause of bunions is not fully understood but there are a number of factors that can contribute including:

Foot biomechanics: The anatomy, the shape and structure of feet, make some people more susceptible to bunions. This can be an inherited trait. If you have low arches (flat feet) or loose joints and tendons (hypermobility), you may be more prone to developing bunions.
Tight narrow shoes, or ones with high heels: These can contribute to the development of bunions and often aggravate symptoms, however, shoes are not necessarily the underlying cause.
Arthritis: Inflammatory conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint, can also be significant in the development of bunions.
Other conditions and syndromes: Women can develop bunions and other foot problems during pregnancy and menopause because hormonal changes loosen the ligaments and flatten the feet. Cerebral palsy and Marfan syndrome can also be a factor.
Occupational stress: People in jobs who have to stand a lot, such as teaching and nursing, can be susceptible to bunions. Dancers put a great deal of stress through the first metatarsophalangeal joint and these forces may produce an environment in which bunions develop.

Other causes include:

age
hereditary, it runs in families
previous injuries to your toes

Complications can include:

Bursitis. Bursas are fluid-filled pads that cushion the bones near your joints which can become inflamed with your shoes constantly putting pressure against your joint.
Corns and calluses. Thickened and hardened layers of skin can form as your feet are trying to protect themselves against rubbing and pressure. This can be painful and tender. For more detailed information see the Corns and calluses page.
Hammertoe. Is a deformity, an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe. With bunions, the big toe pushes against the second toe which can cause structural deformities, pain, pressure and swelling. For more detailed information about hammertoes see the Hammer toe, claw and mallet toe page.
Ingrown toenails. The big toe has deviated and this can place can pressure on the toenail which can become ingrown and painful. For more detailed information see the Ingrown toenails page.
Metatarsalgia. An umbrella term for conditions often in the ball of your foot. A bunion can change the way your foot strikes the ground creating extra stress in your ball of your foot that can cause pain and swelling. For more detailed information see the Metatarsalgia page.

Non-surgical treatment of bunions and tailor’s bunion

Biomechanical correction: A prescription custom orthotic insole can be a beneficial, non-surgical intervention that can help with structural issues that contribute to the development of bunions. Orthotics may help to redistribute pressure, slow down the progression of your bunion’s development and alleviate pain.
Footwear Management: Wearing the right kind of shoes to help relieve pressure can be central to treating bunions. Expert advice is helpful allowing you to choose shoes that conform to the shape of your feet to avoid squeezing or pressing on them.
Pressure Relief: Bunion pads, cushions or correctors, can help stop your foot rubbing on your shoe and relieve the pressure of your joint rubbing against your shoe.
Symptom management: Warm soaks and ice packs can help relieve pain and inflammation. Guidance in the use of some anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful.

Adolescent and Juvenile Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

Juvenile and adolescent bunions (hallux valgus) are a deformity of the big toe joint in which the big toe gradually leans towards the other toes, leading to a bony swelling at the base of the joint. Their cause is not fully understood and they most commonly appear during late childhood or adolescence and are often associated with hereditary factors, as well as foot types such as flat feet (pes planus) or hypermobility.

While many children experience no pain, some may develop discomfort, redness, swelling, or hard skin (callus), particularly where footwear rubs against the area. Management is typically conservative and focuses on reducing discomfort and supporting foot function. Rachel may give specialist footwear advice, recommend padding and, in some cases, splinting. She may prescribe orthotic insoles to help to redistribute pressure, slow down the progression of the bunion’s development and alleviate pain during activity.

If you do suffer from bunions an experienced podiatrist may be able to help manage your condition and reduce the need for surgical intervention.

Appointments and clinic details

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist specialising in biomechanics who sees many patients for bunions. Her north London clinic, Highgate Podiatry, is in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London. Clinics are held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page.