If you’ve ever had a bunion, you know it's a foot condition that can cause real problems. You’re also not alone: About one-third of adults live with bunions, and most are women.
The talented, experienced podiatry team at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers is well versed in diagnosing and treating bunions, which might not cause problems in the short term, but issues can develop over time. It’s best to seek care sooner rather than later.
First, let’s consider the bunion’s origin story.
Bunions can be hereditary or they may develop over time due to other factors. If you have a parent with bunions, you’re more likely to get them. In fact, over 70% of people with bunions have a parent with one.
The non-hereditary causes of bunions include:
Your metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) links your toes to the primary part of your foot. When your MTP joint’s bones become misaligned, a bunion may develop.
Bunions are responsible for more unpleasant symptoms than you may know. They cause pain, redness, and swelling, which can affect your movement, but they also lead to MTP pain and swelling, big toe stiffness, and even pain in the ball of your foot.
What’s more, having a bunion can lead to other foot conditions and deformities, such as:
A bunion may also be the culprit if you suffer nerve damage in your big toe.
All of these symptoms and conditions should convince you that it’s best to get medical attention for your bunion, rather than ignore it. Sometimes a bunion doesn’t cause discomfort, but it likely will down the road, as bunions are progressive.
If you don’t have bunions now, you may be concerned about developing them, especially if you have any of the risk factors we’ve talked about. Your South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers provider talks to you about strategies to decrease your chances of getting one, such as:
Remember, shoes that don’t fit right or are designed to compress the top part of your foot are no good if you want to steer clear of bunions. Instead, look for shoes with roomy toe boxes and low heels, and do your shoe shopping later in the day, when your feet are their biggest.
Some people can’t help but be on their feet most of the time on the job: teachers, nurses, and construction workers, for example. If there’s any way you can take a short break and sit about once an hour, do so.
Talk to your podiatrist if you have other problems like flat feet, unusually high arches, or arthritis. They may recommend orthotics or other corrective measures to lessen the likelihood of developing a bunion.
Doing certain exercises with your feet can also lessen your chances of getting a bunion. Try grasping and picking up pebbles when you’re barefoot.
Or sit with your feet flat on the floor and lift your heel while putting much of your weight on the outer ball area of your foot. Hold this position for five seconds and then return your feet to the original position. You should do 10 reps of this exercise.
Even walking on the beach is great for your feet in this regard.
It’s smart to take preventive measures to avoid bunions, but if you get one, we’ve got treatment at the ready, including icing your bunion, getting custom orthotics, and using splints or padding.
If your bunion symptoms have seriously progressed, and your discomfort and mobility issues are worsening, surgical correction may be what your podiatrist recommends. If it’s advised, your South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers provider is with you every (painless) step of the way.
Call the South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers location that’s most convenient to you and learn more about bunion prevention and treatment. You may also request an appointment online. We have offices in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, and Belle Glade, Florida.
