Bunions- Preventable and
Treatable
If you have bony
enlargements of the big toes more than likely you have
bunions.
A bunion (Hallux Valgus)
forces the big toe to angle toward the other toes. In
doing this, significant discomfort and pain in the foot
can occur. Bunions do not happen
overnight.
Slowly over the years
bunions form due to several different causes. Poor fitting
shoes, family history, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,
weak ligaments in the feet and trauma or injury to the feet are
some of the reasons that a bunion will form.
Poor fitting shoes are the most common cause
of bunions. If your shoes do not fit properly and are too tight
this can cause the foot to change foot motion and put pressure
on the foot and toes.
Wearing high heel or narrow shoes can also
cause bunions. These type of shoes
put pressure on the toe joint which may cause the toe to angle
towards the other toes, in turn causing a bunion.
If you have a family history of
neuromuscular conditions you could be more prone to developing
bunions.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another cause for
developing bunions. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune
disease in which the immune system attacks normal tissue
components. The inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis mainly
attacks the lining in joints usually targeting the hand and
feet.
Osteoarthritis can also be a cause of
bunions. Osteoarthritis is caused by injury to or wear and tear
of the joints over the years.
There are several different symptoms for
bunions. One of the symptoms for bunions is redness and
swelling around the big toe joint. Another symptoms of bunions
is pain along the inside margin of the foot. This is usually
alleviated when resting. Some other symptoms of bunions are
pain when wearing tight shoes, feet that are too wide to fit
into their normal shoes or a second toe that becomes a hammer
toe.
| Top Pick |
|
  Available from
FootSmart this
patented Wheaton Bunion Brace, made of thin,
breathable neoprene, can be worn inside
regular shoes throughout the day and in
total comfort throughout the
night.
Now you can forever replace
those annoying, cumbersome, and bulky straps
with this ultra comfortable foot
sleeve.
This foot bunion brace aids
with bunion alignment, reduces pain and
promotes your comfort level.
You can simply order by your
men's or women's shoe size.
Cautionary
Note: Not recommended for those with
diabetes or poor circulation.
|
There are many different
treatment options for bunions. Wearing properly fitting shoes
is a more permanent treatment that will help the bunions go
away. Ibuprofen or cortisone injections can be used to
temporarily treat the pain and inflammation. To help reduce the
size of the bunion there are commercial pads and night splints
available as well. In severe cases surgery may be required to
treat the bunion. This surgery is known as a
Bunionectomy.
If you think that you have
bunions it is important to seek treatment from
you medical doctor. Without treatment the condition can become
worse and the deformity eventually becomes disabling.
| 
