Bunions are painful bumps on the side of the foot caused by applying unnatural pressure over time, often due to wearing tight shoes. They can cause discomfort, disfigurement, and even require surgery. Treatment includes switching to roomier shoes and surgery in extreme cases. Prevention involves avoiding narrow, tight, and high-heeled shoes.
A bunion is a painful bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe. This is where the big toe joint, called the metatarsophalangeal joint, meets the foot. Over time, poor condition can cause this joint to form into a sore bony protrusion. Corns or calluses may form on it, increasing discomfort, and the surrounding tissue may be red and swollen.
As this protrusion develops, it can cause the big toe to grow inward towards the second toe and, in extreme cases, can even force it under the second toe. This can push the remaining toes out of place and cause further discomfort. In extreme cases, bunions can cause disfigurements that can only be corrected with surgery. Although this is an outpatient surgery in most cases, the recovery can be long.
The most common cause of bunions is applying unnatural pressure to the foot over a period of years while wearing shoes that are too tight. As a result, women who wear pointed toe dress shoes such as high heels are more prone to this condition. There is also a hereditary factor in the sense that the natural shape of the foot can be an additional stressor. Other people who can develop bunions are those who spend a lot of time on their feet, including athletes, people who deliver mail, dancers, and so on.
Advanced bunion can lead to bunion, an inflammation of the water sac or bursa that protects the joint. Arthritis can also develop when the big toe becomes inflexible. These conditions make easy walking very painful, as the big toe joint has to bend with each step taken.
In most cases, this condition is treated conservatively and allows it to heal on its own by switching to roomier shoes with wide toes and flat soles. Some people may need to cushion the area or wear shoe inserts so they can walk more comfortably. Surgery is usually only recommended in cases where the growth has been allowed to progress to a more serious condition. A surgeon is then needed to realign the bones, tendons and ligaments of the toe to repair the damage.
Adolescents with a hereditary predisposition or foot injuries may have bunions even at this early age. In general, switching to more comfortable, snug-fitting shoes can heal them, and they will continue to get worse if the conditions that created them don’t change. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the best way to prevent this condition is to avoid narrow, pointy shoes, shoes that are too tight, and heels that exceed 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) in height.
While this article provides general information, it is not medical advice and should not be substituted. If you are experiencing a painful orthopedic condition, see a qualified physician for professional diagnosis and treatment.
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