We’ve dealt with many different articles related to health on here, but today I want to talk to you about bunions, which is an issue that just came up recently when a bunch of us found out that we’re all currently dealing with this. So, to make a long story short, it was time for us to team up and do some research.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is an unnatural growth on either your big toe or your little toe, almost always on your big toe. It’s made out of bone and takes the shape of a bony spur or bump. What happens is, your foot starts to get pushed or twisted out of shape and the bunion forms as your body’s response to that. They usually take years to develop, but once they are full-blown they can be incredibly painful. The good news is that early detection, like in almost all things medical, makes an incredible difference. Make sure (see options for treatment below) that you get very proactive about this issue early on, way before it starts to hinder your quality of life.
What Causes Bunions?
Bunions can be cause by other complicating conditions like arthritis, but by far the most common cause of bunions are, you probably guessed it already, wearing shoes that are too tight.
It’s funny because, for example, if we were to read about the practice of foot-binding in ancient China we’d think it’s horrible and cruel, but if you have unfortunately gotten to the point where a bunion is affecting your quality of life, how far off are you really from one of those victims of foot-binding?
All one has to do to avoid bunions, in the vast majority of cases, is simply to wear shoes that aren’t too narrow and small for your feet! Hopefully this article will serve as a wake-up call to many readers to avoid some of our past mistakes.
Options For Treatment
The good news is that this has been vastly improved in recent years. Here are some options.
- Minimally invasive bunion surgery is now available. Ask your physician/surgeon for more details.
- Some unscrupulous medical professionals will try to up-sell you on traditional bunion surgery. Avoid this option!
- If the pain is still low-level, start right away with pain medication and anti-inflammatories. In some cases, even ibuprofen can work wonders. But consult your doctor first anyway, of course!
- Often cortisone injections can help you avoid surgery.
- Regardless of which of the above options is right for you, please, please, change your shoe habits. Get proper padding on any of those pressure points as well.
