Bunions are a common diagnosis that can cause severe pain and dysfunction. Many people think that a bunion is a result of wearing ill-fitting shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can certainly lead to the worsening of a bunion, but may not always be the cause of it developing initially. Our team of skilled podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group treat bunions often in Crofton, MD Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA.
What Is A Bunion?
Bunions consist of a visible deformity on the inside of the foot where the big toe joint meets up with the rest of the foot. This occurs when the big toe joint becomes dislocated. Decades of stress on the foot will sometimes cause the big toe to displace inwards towards the other toes. At times, a bunion will progress in severity so much that the big toe is displaced enough that the only option is for it to lie on top of the second toe. This scenario is known as crossover toe.
What Causes a Bunion To Develop?
Unfortunately, it is not definitively known why one person will develop a bunion and others will not. The abnormal stress that leads to the development of a bunion is usually a result of poor foot mechanics or misshapen feet. Many researchers think that the development of bunions is a genetic trait, including:
- Being born with excessively lax ligaments
- Being born with an abnormal structure of the foot
- Very tight Achilles tendons
- Other skeletal deformities that cause abnormal stresses on the foot
Other causes that are not hereditary would be an accident involving the foot or other trauma. Anything that places excessive stress on the foot may lead to the development of a bunion.
What Can Worsen a Bunion?
While we've established that poorly fitting shoes are likely not the main cause of developing a bunion at first, they do play a big role in preventing the progression of a bunion. The steps listed below may halt or slow down the progression. Our podiatrists can guide you in the management of bunions in Crofton, MD Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA. Conservative measures recommended by podiatrists are:
- Make sure your shoes are roomy in the toe area.
- Go shopping for new shoes in the evening as our feet are slightly swollen in the later hours of the day.
- Get your feet measured each time you buy new shoes. Our feet flatten as we get older. This may require buying a larger-sized shoe than you are used to.
- Maintain a healthy weight to prevent excess stress on the foot.
- Try custom orthotics
- Take pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs
Contact Us
Treat your bunions in Crofton, MD Woodbridge, Chantilly, and Sterling, VA with our team of podiatrists at Potomac Podiatry Group. Call us for a consultation by calling our Woodbridge office at (703) 583-5959, our Chantilly location at (703) 490-5599, our Crofton office at (410) 721-4505, or our Sterling location at (703) 444-9555.