Bunions and Tailors Bunions

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint where your big toe meets your foot. Bunions happen slowly and eventually they become bigger and begin to stick out from the side of your foot.

A bunion can make your big toe turn inward, sometimes so far that it moves on top of the toes next to it or crowds other toes off the foot. The most obvious sign of a bunion is a bulging lump on the joint. It might hurt, be swollen or red. It also can make it hard to move your toes, especially your big toe.  Shoes that don’t fit well can cause bunions especially if they cramp your toes. Shoes with high heels are also more likely to cause bunions.  Some people are more likely to get bunions because of the way their feet are shaped. Genetics also play a factor when it comes to bunions. Your doctor probably can tell if you have a bunion just by looking at your foot, but the doctor will want to do an X-ray to see if the joint is damaged. An x-ray can help tell your Doctor which stage the bunion is in and possibly what caused it, this can help your Doctor decide how to treat your bunions.

A bunionette is a bunion that forms on the joint where your little toe meets your foot. It’s also called a “tailor’s bunion." Tailors were known to sit cross-legged for long hours, which put pressure on that side of their feet and led to bunions near their pinky toes. Home

Treatment for Bunions:

> Change Shoes: This might be all you need to do to manage bunion pain. Your Certified Canadian Pedorthis C. Ped (C) can help you choose shoes that are right for you. They should have lots of room for your toes, and heels lower than 1.5 inches. Wearing high heels can put pressure on the front of your foot and can cause bunions and other problems. Stay away from shoes that are tight, pointed or crowd your toes. Look for shoes that come in different widths and can accomadate depths.

> Ice: To ease swelling and pain, wrap a bag of frozen crushed ice in a towel and put it on your bunion. Be sure not to leave it on longer than 20 minutes at a time -- it can cause ice burn because your foot has less tissue and muscle than other parts of your body. If you have nerve damage or circulation problems, talk to you doctor before putting an ice pack on your feet.

> Padding and Bracing for Bunions: Special pads can cushion the area near the bunion that hurts. But talk to your doctor first, or test the pad for a short period to see if it helps. If it’s the wrong size for you, it can add pressure and cause more problems. There are also special braces made for bunions. These braces prevent bunions from becoming worse.