Tips to prevent bunions

Medically known as hallux valgus , bunions can have various causes: hereditary, acquired when it is produced by the use of inappropriate footwear on a frequent or pathological basis, the latter product of some condition of the foot or of certain diseases that end up promoting its development.

In addition to the hereditary predisposition to develop this condition, some of the causes of bunions are:

• The frequent use of unsuitable footwear, especially models of shoes that are very narrow in the toe area, pointed or high-heeled, which favors the displacement of the big toe towards the second toe, giving rise to this condition. This is the reason why bunions occur mostly in women.
• Defects in the structure of the foot that can increase the predisposition to suffer from this condition. Any congenital problem in the joint can increase the possibility of suffering from hallux valgus . Additionally, the bunion is more common in people who have a very long big toe, this together with the type of footwear causes it to lean towards the middle finger, giving rise to this picture.
• Presence of certain podiatric conditions: flat feet, rotation of the first metatarsal or some type of muscular imbalance, which increases the possibility of its appearance.
• There is a type of bunion considered pathological, that is, it develops due to the appearance of certain conditions that can promote its development, such as arthritis or gout .

It is possible to detect a bunion in its early formation, at which time only the displacement of the big toe towards the second toe is observed and a slight bulge can also be detected. At this early stage we can take measures so that the bunion does not get worse , however it is important to be clear that once it appears it cannot be reversed unless surgery is chosen.

In patients who do not yet have bunions, prevention is based especially on the use of appropriate footwear that allows our feet to be comfortable. This suggestion is very important for those patients who have the big toe much longer than the rest, who are more prone to developing this condition.

If you do not have bunions and you want to avoid their appearance at all costs, or if you have hallux valgus at an early stage, some measures can help you avoid their appearance. However, it is important to bear in mind that when there is a hereditary predisposition to suffer from this condition, preventing them may be impossible so work should be done to prevent the condition from getting worse.

To prevent bunions it is recommended:

• Wear comfortable and suitable footwear for our feet , avoiding all those models that are too narrow or pointed, as they squeeze our toes and promote the development of the bunion. The fingers should always be comfortable, if necessary you can use special wide footwear to guarantee maximum comfort.
• The excessive use of high heels is also harmful, so it should be avoided. The position to which the foot is subjected when wearing heels favors the appearance of bunions, it is better to opt for shoes with a discreet platform in which the foot does not suffer too much.
• It is recommended to opt for shoes made with flexible materials, such as leather, as they will allow adequate movement of the foot, preventing it from being tight inside the shoe. It is also important that they are adequately padded inside, in this way when walking the feet will be more comfortable and the vibrations of the movement will be adequately cushioned.

At the first signs that a bunion is detected, it is advisable to visit a podiatrist to receive the appropriate treatment.

It is possible to put into practice some recommendations to prevent bunions from getting worse and thus guarantee our podiatric health, that is why at FastlyHealwe suggest:

• Wear the right footwear that follows the above recommendations, as this is key to preventing this condition from worsening.
• Wearing an interdigital spacer at night will help prevent the big toe from continuing to advance toward the second toe, which may at the same time prevent this condition from worsening.
• In cases where the bunion causes pain, it is recommended to use patches that reduce the friction of the bone against the shoe, reducing discomfort and inflammation.
• If flat feet are present or if the podiatrist deems it necessary, the use of a custom made insole may be recommended to help combat the foot problem and thus decrease the possibility of the bunion advancing.
• Soaking your feet in warm salt water every day helps reduce inflammation and discomfort caused by this condition.

Only in those cases in which the lump is significant or there is frequent and severe pain, the podiatrist may recommend surgical intervention.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Tips to prevent bunions , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .