Podiatry For Bunions

A bunion is a bump on the side of your big toe caused by a bone and tissue growth that forces the joint to shift. Bunions are often painful and can lead to long-term health complications. Luckily, bunions are extremely common and treatable.

What Causes Bunions to Develop?

Bunions are mainly caused by the shape of your foot, specifically the arch. As the big toe moves toward the other toes, the joint pushes against the side of your foot, and bunions begin to appear. Some examples of foot types that cause bunions include:

1. Flat Feet: Flat feet are a huge cause of bunions and can be noticeable at birth. Flat feet are characterized by toes spaced far apart and an arch lower than average. Flat feet will create additional pressure on the foot as it pushes against the floor while walking. Bunions develop when a person with flat feet walks, runs, or performs physical labor for long periods.

2. Joint Hypermobility: A congenital flaw can cause hypermobility during the formation of the foot or by muscular issues that weaken the joints' ability to stay properly aligned. In either case, muscle weakness in the foot causes too much flexibility in the bones and cartilage, making it prone to developing bunions.

3. Short First Metatarsal: The first metatarsal is the long bone in the middle of your foot. A congenital problem or an injury can cause you to have a short first metatarsal. The uneven length between your first and second toes caused by the deformity causes the big toe to shift and push against the side of your foot, leading to a bunion formation.

4. Weak Intrinsic Foot Muscles: Weak intrinsic foot muscles are a common type of bunions that are caused by the body's mechanisms. When muscles are weak, they cannot effectively control the bones and joints in your feet. As a result, your muscles themselves become stretched. This condition puts pressure on the joint tissues and can cause bunions to form.

According to podiatry for bunions, other causes of bunions include:

1. Footwear: Bunions can be caused by ill-fitting shoes, particularly those shoes that have high heels. A tight shoe can put pressure on a growing bone and cause a bunion. Likewise, if the bunion has already developed, it may worsen with continued use.

2. Dancing: In a study conducted in 2009 by podiatry for bunions, dancing got discovered to cause improper gait and wear out the joint, thereby increasing the risk of developing bunions.

3. Rheumatoid Arthritis or Gout: In both rheumatoid arthritis and gout, there is an overproduction of uric acid in the blood. High uric acid levels and deposits can cause the big toe to shift and push against the side of your foot.

These conditions also make it more likely for other joints to become irritated, decreasing your muscle tone and flexibility and heightening the risk of developing bunions.