With warm weather just around the corner, those feet you were hiding will soon be in sandals! Worried that all your friends will see your big bunion bumps? Do you have no idea what I am talking about so far?? Well enjoy the ride as we discuss all you need to know about the wide world of bunions!!
A bunion is when your big toe begins to move towards the rest of your smaller toes, and most likely is accompanied by a bump on the inside edge of the big toe. The problems that most people experience with bunions are red and calloused skin along the bump of the bunion, along with swelling of the big toe joint, with decreased range of motion and stiffness in the joint. The worst part of all though is some can experience PAIN during walking with any type of tight fitting shoes
Bunions can
be caused by several factors. Bunions most commonly affect women, as types of shoe gear are often aggravating factors. Tight fitting shoes, especially high heels, can have a profound impact on developing buions. As the amount of hours per day, as well as number of years you spend in such ill-fitting shoes, the more likely a bunion will develop, or increase in severity. Bunions can also be genetic, or accompanied by another ailment, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or based on the type of foot you have. Pronation (a foot that rolls flat as you walk) or a splay type of foot, can also be predisposed to developing bunions.
Buions can be diagnosed through both a clinical evaluation by your podiatric physician, as well as taking an x-ray. X-rays are a very helpful tool, as your doctor will use the measurements he takes of a few different angles of the foot to determine the best option for treatment. With a very mild bunion that causes little pain or discomfort, it is advised to try and wear shoes with a wider toe box to provide more room for your feet, with the occasional Ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief. There are also different types of spacing devices and braces that can be used to try and conservatively treat bunions, in addition to physical therapy to increase joint range of motion, as well as special custom molded inserts that allow for more room. If the bunion has been present for a long time, or is very painful or rigidly fixed, then surgery may be a good option. There are hundreds of different procedures, and variations of each procedure that can be done, all with excellent outcomes.
A similar type of foot problem is known as a tailors bunion. This has all the same type of causes, symptoms, and treatment, except the location is different. Tailors bunions occur at the other side of the foot, involving the joint of the 5th or pinky toe! Many people even opt to get both procedures done at the same time! With sandal weather quickly approaching, make sure to see your local podiatrist to address your bunions as soon as you can! You are entirely too busy and important to be living with pain!
The purpose of this blog is to raise awareness about common conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Any advice given, whether medical or legal, is an opinion. For legal counsel or podiatric care, one should see their local podiatrist or attorney. More information can be found at my website www.michiganfootdoctor.com
A bunion is when your big toe begins to move towards the rest of your smaller toes, and most likely is accompanied by a bump on the inside edge of the big toe. The problems that most people experience with bunions are red and calloused skin along the bump of the bunion, along with swelling of the big toe joint, with decreased range of motion and stiffness in the joint. The worst part of all though is some can experience PAIN during walking with any type of tight fitting shoes
Bunions can
be caused by several factors. Bunions most commonly affect women, as types of shoe gear are often aggravating factors. Tight fitting shoes, especially high heels, can have a profound impact on developing buions. As the amount of hours per day, as well as number of years you spend in such ill-fitting shoes, the more likely a bunion will develop, or increase in severity. Bunions can also be genetic, or accompanied by another ailment, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or based on the type of foot you have. Pronation (a foot that rolls flat as you walk) or a splay type of foot, can also be predisposed to developing bunions.Buions can be diagnosed through both a clinical evaluation by your podiatric physician, as well as taking an x-ray. X-rays are a very helpful tool, as your doctor will use the measurements he takes of a few different angles of the foot to determine the best option for treatment. With a very mild bunion that causes little pain or discomfort, it is advised to try and wear shoes with a wider toe box to provide more room for your feet, with the occasional Ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief. There are also different types of spacing devices and braces that can be used to try and conservatively treat bunions, in addition to physical therapy to increase joint range of motion, as well as special custom molded inserts that allow for more room. If the bunion has been present for a long time, or is very painful or rigidly fixed, then surgery may be a good option. There are hundreds of different procedures, and variations of each procedure that can be done, all with excellent outcomes.
A similar type of foot problem is known as a tailors bunion. This has all the same type of causes, symptoms, and treatment, except the location is different. Tailors bunions occur at the other side of the foot, involving the joint of the 5th or pinky toe! Many people even opt to get both procedures done at the same time! With sandal weather quickly approaching, make sure to see your local podiatrist to address your bunions as soon as you can! You are entirely too busy and important to be living with pain!
The purpose of this blog is to raise awareness about common conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Any advice given, whether medical or legal, is an opinion. For legal counsel or podiatric care, one should see their local podiatrist or attorney. More information can be found at my website www.michiganfootdoctor.com
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