What Are Bunions?
A bunion develops when your big toe pushes against the toe next to it. As it pushes, it forces the joint of the big toe to stick out to the side and get bigger. The skin over the bunion will often get red, sore, and even swollen. You can also develop bunions in your littlest toe joint, often called bunionettes.
What Are the Symptoms?
Common symptoms of bunions include the following:
- Redness or soreness at your big toe joint area
- A bump sticking out from the base of your foot where your toe joint is located
- Corns or calluses
- Persistent or intermittent pain
How Can I Prevent Bunions?
It is not 100 percent clear what causes bunions, but some factors include inherited foot type, foot injuries, and birth deformities. Here are some suggestions to help decrease your risk of getting bunions:
- Avoid high heels. The heel forces your toes to jam into the front of the shoe, crowding your toes. If you know you have a long day ahead of you, opt for the more comfortable and roomy shoe.
- Don’t wear uncomfortable shoes. Shoes that don’t fit and that squish your feet can also put you at a greater risk for developing bunions.
The best advice is to wear shoes that are comfortable and give plenty of room and support for your feet. Feet tend to swell throughout the day so always try and purchase your shoes in the afternoon or evening after they have already expanded.
Possible Treatment Options for Bunions
Bunions don’t always need medical treatment, but if the pain is severe, a visit with your doctor is a good idea to see if there may be other issues. Possible treatments might include:
- A change in shoes
- Specific orthopedic shoes
- Custome made inserts
- Medication
- Surgery
If you have any more questions about bunions please give us a call.