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If you feel pain near your big toe joint when walking, you might be developing bunions. Bunions grow over time, gradually worsening. Eventually, you’ll need to see a foot specialist to have them removed. To avoid the possibility of foot surgery, use the guide below to understand what bunions are and how to prevent them from forming on your feet.

What They Are

The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint flexes with every step you take. When you restrict the big toe joint, the bone and joint tissues become inflamed, causing a bump to grow on the inside of the foot. The larger the bunion, the more painful the foot becomes. With severe cases, a foot will swell tremendously and create problems with walking, necessitating frequent visits to a foot specialist.

Why Bunions Form

Foot specialistThe cause of bunions stems from wearing tight and narrow shoes, like stilettos or boots. Walking in these for years forces the toes to bend toward each other. In other cases, bunions can be hereditary. Adolescent hallux valgus, or adolescent bunions, can form on feet with a family history of this health condition. Adolescent bunions are frequently seen in girls between ages 10 and 15, but boys can also get them.

How to Prevent Them

Managing your feet at a young age is the optimal method of prevention. Since bunions develop over time, wearing a proper shoe size from the start will help you avoid future foot pain. Find shoes that provide toe room and don’t compress the area — as a foot specialist for a recommendation. If bunions run in your family, monitor your foot shape as you get older.

 

Bunions are painful and permanent problems, but proper foot care helps prevent their formation. The team at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Cincinnati, OH, offers state-of-the-art podiatrist services for all foot conditions, from bunions to ankle or heel pain. Visit their website or call (513) 769-4408 today to schedule a checkup with a foot specialist.

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