Facts About Bunions

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Introduction:A bunion is a deformity at the base of the big toe caused by a progressive misalignment of the bone.

• 01

  What Exactly Is a Bunion

  A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions form when your big toe pushes up against your other toes, forcing your big toe joint in the opposite direction, away from normal profile of your foot. Over time, the abnormal position enlarges your big toe joint, further crowding your other toes and causing pain.
  
  Smaller bunions (also known as bunionettes) can also develop on the joint of your little toes.

• 02

  What Causes Bunions

  The most common cause of bunions is from wearing shoes that fit too tightly. Bunions can also develop as a result of an inherited structural defect or stress on your foot or a medical condition, such as arthritis.

• 03

  Recognizing a Bunion and Symptoms Associated With Bunions

  The signs and symptoms of a bunion include:
  
  A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe
  
  Swelling, redness or soreness around your big toe joint
  
  Thickening of the skin at the base of your big toe
  
  Corns or calluses - these often develop where the first and second toes overlap
  
  Persistent or intermittent pain
  
  Restricted movement of your big toe
  
  Pain from a bunion can be severe enough to keep you from walking comfortably in normal shoes. The skin and deeper tissue around the bunion also may become swollen or inflamed.
  
  By pushing your big toe inward, a bunion can squeeze your other toes into abnormal positions. Over time, this crowding molds the four toes into the bent or claw-like shape known as hammertoe.

• 04

  When Should You Consult a Doctor

  Usually bunions don't often require medical treatment but if you have persistent pain then you need to consult a podiatrist (a podiatrist specializes in treating foot disorders)
  
  You need to consult your podiatrist if any of the following conditions exist:
  
  1. Persistent big toe or foot pain
  2. Having a visible bump on your big toe joint
  3. If you experience decreased movement of your big toe or foot
  4. If you are finding it difficult to find shoes that fit properly

• 05

  Things That Make You More Prone to Have Bunions

  Risk factors making you more prone to getting bunions are:
  
  1. Wearing high heels. High heels force your toes into the front of your shoes which causes crowding of your toes.
  
  2. Wearing shoes that don't fit properly. Sometimes people tend to wear shoes that are too tight, too narrow or too pointed and therefore make themselves more susceptible to getting bunions.
  
  3. If you have arthritis you might start to walk differently and make you more prone to bunions.
  
  4. Heredity can play a role in getting bunions because you might have an inherited structural foot defect.

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