Do your feet hurt when you wear shoes or while walking? Wearing shoes that are too tight is a leading cause of bunions. Many people with bunions suffer from discomfort and pain that is triggered by constant irritation, rubbing, and friction of the enlargement against shoes. The longer you go without treatment for your bunion, the more pain you may experience. It is vital that you pay close attention to the shoes that you are wearing, as they are often times the main culprit of your foot pain. Symptoms typically occur when wearing shoes that crowd your toes, such as shoes with a tight toe box or high heels. This also goes to show why women tend to experience symptoms more often than men. What is a Bunion? Also referred to as hallux abducto valgus, a bunion is often characterized by a bump or bony prominence on the side of your big toe. The bunion bump reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of your foot. Your big toe tends to lean toward the second toe, instead of pointing straight ahead. When your toe does this, the bones are out of alignment which produces the bump. A progressive disorder, bunions begin with the simple leaning of the big toe and gradually change the angle of your bones over the years, with the end result of a visible bump. Symptoms will usually appear later in the stages, but some people may never experience any symptoms. Common symptoms include: Pain or soreness Inflammation and redness A burning sensation Possible numbness Bunions develop due to prolonged abnormal pressure or motion on your big toe joint, most often caused by inherited defects, poor-fitting shoes, foot injuries, or congenital deformities. Wearing shoes will not necessarily cause bunions, but it sometimes makes the deformity worsen over time. Treating Your Bunion Since bunions are bone deformities, they are unable to resolve themselves. The first goal in bunion treatment is to relieve the pressure and pain that is caused by irritations. Your podiatrist will also recommend treatment options to stop any progressive growth of the enlargement. Some of the common methods used to treat bunions include, but are not limited to: The use of protective padding to eliminate the friction against your shoes Removal of corns and calluses on your foot Changing to properly-fitted footwear designed to accommodate your bunion Orthotic devices to help stabilize the joint and place the foot in the correct position for walking and standing Exercises to maintain joint mobility and prevent stiffness or arthritis Splints for nighttime wear to help the toes and joint align properly Depending on the size of your bunion, misalignment of the toe and pain you are experiencing, conservative treatments may not be enough to prevent progressive damage from bunions. In some cases surgery may be needed. Bunionectomy is often advised to remove the bunion and realign the toe. Accordingly, your Chicago podiatrist with properly diagnose and treat your foot ailment. Depending on the condition, your podiatrist will prescribe appropriate treatment to relieve your pain and restore the function back in your foot. Contact your podiatrist in Chicago for further diagnosis and treatment for your foot pain.
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