BUNIONS
WHAT ARE BUNIONS AND WHAT CAUSES THEM?
Did you know that more than 50% of women suffer from bunions? Found at the base of your big toe, bunions can enlarge or protrude from your foot as a result of tight or narrow-fitting shoes. The skin may be tender and red or the bunion may cause discomfort wearing any type of shoe.
If left untreated, bunions can force your entire toe out of alignment or cause an overlap of your third toe. Severe cases may even result in difficult walking or arthritic changes.
COMMON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Enlargement or protrusion from the base of the big toe
- Redness and tenderness
- Overlapping or misalignment of toes
- Pain or arthritis
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Most bunions can be treated without the need for surgery. Simply wearing protective pads over the painful and irritated area, along with avoiding ill-fitting or overly tight/narrow shoes can help to treat and prevent bunions from forming.
In cases that require surgery, a bunionectomy can be performed to realign the bone, ligaments, tendons, and nerves to correct the positioning of the big toe.
