Bunions 101
Your big toe is the hardest-working toe. Every time your foot pushes off the ground, this toe supports most of your body's weight. Because the big toe is so critical to movement, any problem with it can make walking or even standing painful.
A bunion (excess or misaligned common bone in the joint) is one of the most common big toe problems. In addition to causing pain, a bunion changes the shape of your foot, making it harder to find shoes that fit. But this problem can be treated. With your doctor's help, your feet can feel and look better.
Causes of Bunion Pain
- Pressure and friction from rubbing against your shoes.
- Soft tissues around the joint may become inflamed leading to swelling and tenderness.
- Misalignment from the big toe pushing against the smaller toes.
- Having arthritis may worsen the pain.
Preventing Bunions
- Wear proper-fitting shoes
- Use pads or splints
- Apply ice
- Orthotics
- Speak to one of our podiatrists
