Top 7 Things You Should Know About Bunions

Many people are aware of bunions and some have even developed them. The painful bony bulge that appears at the base of your big toe can ultimately result in toe deformation. Occurring in millions of U.S. citizens, this common ailment is usually misunderstood. 

To help you gain more knowledge about the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment of bunions, below are the seven bunions facts you should be aware of. 

1. A bunion isn’t just a bump
Although the severity of bunions varies, it's crucial not to ignore a bunion as a minor inconvenience. Even minor bunions can cause pain and irritation, hampering you from completing important daily tasks. The bunion arises at the toe joint when the big toe deviates towards the other ones. The significance of this is that the pressure and pain can emerge at the joint where the toe bends, making walking extremely difficult.

2. Bunion symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that may cause you to believe you have a bunion. However, the following are the most common: 
- A bony protuberance on the bottom of your big toe.
- Reddish calloused skin on the inside of your big toe across the protuberance.
- Discomfort over the joint with the protuberance that exacerbates with pressure.
- The tip of the big toe pointing toward the adjacent one.

3. You shouldn’t wait for bunions to worsen
Most people are prone to procrastinating and waiting until a disease worsens before acting. However, if you need surgical treatment for a bunion, you shouldn’t wait too long. Your bone density deteriorates as you grow older. Because this can make surgical recovery more difficult, bunion surgery is often recommended for people in their 40s and 50s rather than later in life.

4. You won’t develop severe scars
Scars are a common problem with almost any surgical procedure. Scarring after bunion removal surgery is typically minor due to the latest incisional methods and surgical techniques used. Besides, those undergone bunion surgeries are typically advised to utilize scar cream or silicone gel. This also helps reduce swelling and prevent the risk of significant scarring.

5. Failure to treat bunions can result in serious consequences 
Aside from the pain, keeping bunions untreated can lead to secondary abnormalities like hammertoes, calluses, and even arthritis. It's advisable to have your bunion examined by an experienced specialist before it leads to these equally painful and unsightly complications. All of your bunions and bunion-related foot care needs can be addressed at a reputable podiatry clinic.

6. Bunions don’t always recur 
While bunions might sometimes recur following surgery, this is not a regular occurrence. If you have a family history of bunions and excessive foot motion, you’re more likely to have them reoccurring. Things like wearing post-surgery orthotics can help reduce your risk of recurrence.

7. Foot exercises can help
Traditional treatment options like foot exercises and toe stretches can help ease bunion discomfort and halt the progression of the condition. Foot exercises like toe curls, reflexing and contracting, make bunion pain considerably more manageable.

The Bottom Line 
If you suspect that you may have a bunion or two, avoid hesitating and consult an experienced podiatry specialist ASAP. Your doctor will determine the exact cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment options. If your bunions are minor and don’t cause any serious symptoms, you may be advised to do stretching exercises, elevating your feet, wearing more comfortable shoes, soaking your feet in cool water, and applying topical analgesics. However, if your bunions are severe and put you at risk of serious misalignment, surgical correction may be required.