One of the most common foot conditions that can affect many people are bunions. This condition occurs near the big toe joint and causes the big toe to develop a deformity. Usually the deformity comes in the form of a bump. Runners need to be especially mindful of bunions and how to prevent them because continuing to run with bunions can exacerbate the condition and cause more problems down the road for the feet. If you are suffering from a bunion but want to continue to run, there are several steps that you can take to protect yourself. First, you can tape the affected toe before going running. Specifically, you can use non-medical pads to reduce the pressure and friction that is felt on the big toe joint while running. Additionally, you can perform certain foot exercises meant to improve the strength and mobility of your feet, which can ultimately lessen any discomfort felt in the big toe. For more information about what runners can do to lessen the pain felt from bunions or prevent bunions from forming, contact a chiropodist.
Bunions progressively worsen over time and may cause walking in your shoes to become difficult. To learn more about bunions, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Are Bunions?
A bunion is a bony bump that protrudes from the base of the big toe. Bunions are caused due to a misalignment of the first metatarsal. The characteristic bump of a bunion forms when the metatarsal shifts outwards from its proper position. Bunions develop slowly over time and progressively worsen without treatment. The skin over the bunion may develop calluses due to the friction from shoes. Eventually, a bunion can make walking uncomfortable or even painful. Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities and are especially common in women and older adults.
Symptoms
A bunion appears as a bulging bump on the outside of the base of the big toe.
The bunion may also:
Be swollen, red, or sore
Develop corns or calluses over it
Cause pain
Limit the big toe’s range of motion
Treatment
There are several different treatments available for bunions. Conservative treatment options include wearing shoes with a wider toe box, cushioning the bunion with a specialized pad, wearing shoe inserts, icing the bunion if it becomes inflamed, and taking medications to relieve pain. In more severe cases, more invasive procedures may be done. This may involve removing the swollen tissue around the bunion, straightening the big toe, realigning the bones at the front of the foot, or a combination of these procedures.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs
