Bunions--people think they're something older people had in the "old days." However, researchers indicate that more than one-third of the Western population currently have this bulging malformation of the joint at the base of the big toe. Swelling, pain, overlapping of the big toe over the second and third toes--these are just some of the podiatric issues arising from bunions.
Do you have bunions? If so, Dr. David Blumfield and his associates at Podiatry Associates of Houston can diagnose and treat this bothersome condition. Dr. Blumfield is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Podiatric Surgeons.
The Causes of Bunions
The painful bulge characteristic of bunions comes from a few sources:
- excessive pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joint
- tight shoes
- overuse
- obesity
- hereditary foot structure
- soft padding to keep the metatarsophalangeal joint from rubbing against the inside of the shoe
- custom-made or over the counter orthotics, or shoe inserts, to correct overpronation or other problems associated with how a person walks
- well-fitting shoes with good supportive soles and wide toe-boxes
- losing weight
- ibuprophen for pain and reducing inflammation
- removal of hard calluses and corns
- toe splints to help move the joint back into proper alignment