CenExel ACMR is currently seeking adult volunteers to participate in a bunion removal study.
Also known as hallux valgus, bunions are a progressive disorder that causes the big toe to lean toward the second toe. Eventually, it causes a disfigurement on the foot making it painful to wear shoes and walk. Causes for forming bunions include genetics, suffering from an inflammation condition, and wearing shoes that force the toes in unnatural positions. There are both non-surgical options (changes in footwear, wearing “bunion-shield” pads and shoe inserts, icing the foot, and medications) and surgical options for treatment for them.
Symptoms for a feet with bunions include:
- A visible bump on the side of a foot near the toes
- Pain and soreness
- Redness and inflammation
- Hardened skin on the bottom of the foot
- A callus or corn on the bump
- Difficulty walking and other activities due to foot discomfort
A bunionectomy is a type of surgery to remove a bunion and correct the deformity on the foot. The procedure is also referred to as a bunion removal and is necessary if non-surgical options do not help the pain caused by it. The amount of pain endured after a bunionectomy varies per person and often pain medication is prescribed for your post-operative care. Medical researchers are looking for better alternatives for this type of medication. If you need a bunion surgically removed, contact us about your bunionectomy and consider a clinical trial to help advance the search for better pain management for your recovery.
FAQs
What is a Bunion?
A bunion (hallux valgus) is a deformity of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of thebig toe. A bunion develops when the big toe pushes against the other toes, sometimes diving over or under them. As a result, the base of the big toe – the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint – juts or angles out from the foot.
What Causes a Bunion?
Shoes with narrow toes can trigger a bunion, but they’re not the underlying cause. Bunions run infamilies, because foot type (shape and structure) is hereditary, and some types are more prone to bunions than others.
Low arches, flat feet, and loose joints and tendons all increase the risk. The shape of the metatarsal head (the top of the first metatarsal bone) also makes a difference: if it’s too round,the joint is less stable and more likely to deform when squeezed into shoes with narrow toes.
High heels can exacerbate a potential bunion problem because they tip the body’s weightforward, forcing the toes into the front of the shoe. This may help to explain why bunions are 10 times more common in women than in men.
People in occupations such as teaching and nursing, that involve a lot of standing and walking,are more susceptible to bunions. Ballet dancers, whose feet suffer severe repetitive stress, arealso amongst those who experience bunions. Women can sometimes develop bunions and otherfoot problems during pregnancy because hormonal changes loosen the ligaments and flatten thefeet. Bunions are also associated with arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint.
Why Bunions Should be Treated
The MTP joint helps us bear and distribute weight during a range of activities. A bunion at this critical junction of bones, tendons, and ligaments can seriously impair the foot’s ability tofunction. A bunion on the big toe can damage the other toes. Under the pressure of the big toe,they may develop corns or become bent, forming “hammertoes.” Toes with bunions often have nails that become ingrown. Calluses may form on the bottom of the foot. If you constantly shift your weight off the painful big toe joint to other metatarsals, you may also develop discomfort inthe ball of the foot. As the misshapen joint becomes more uncomfortable and harder to fit intoshoes, exercise and other activities, even walking, may become difficult.
Foot disorders are a major cause of disability and sedentary habits in older women. A foot studythat involved almost 3,000 women and men, ages 56 and older, found that women are more likelyto have bunions as they get older, and the more severe their bunions are, the lower their quality of life. Bunion pain and deformity usually interfered with daily routines and physical activity.
Bunions Removal and Treatment Options
There are multiple surgical procedures available to treat bunions. Determining which type ofbunion correction is appropriate often depends upon the severity of the bunion, the age of thepatient, and deformity of the foot. JBR Clinical Research’s bunion clinical trial offers bunionremoval for participation in the study and may include compensation for study-related time.
If you are interested in finding out if you could be a candidate for this pain associated with bunion removal study, please fill out the form on this page. A representative from JBR ClinicalResearch will be in contact with you to discuss your eligibility and next steps.