What problems can bunions cause?

But, as the bunion gets larger, it can seriously affect how your foot works. You experience redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain at the base of the big toe, and it can migrate to the ball of the foot. Your bent big toe may put pressure on your other toes, causing damage such as hammertoes or corns.

What happens if bunions go untreated?

If left untreated, a bunion can cause arthritis, especially if the joint in the big toe has sustained extensive, long-term damage. Bunions may cause the cartilage in the joint to deteriorate. While bunions can be remedied through surgery, arthritis and the possibility of chronic pain are not curable.

Can bunions affect other parts of the body?

Bunions can cause knee and hip pain

If your bunion pain changes your gait, your knees and hips are the first to notice, and they, in turn, make a change. The extra stress on those joints causes pain in your joints and overall fatigue.

What are the long term effects of bunions?

Foot Deformities

If bunions are left untreated for too long, they can continue to grow in size, twisting the other toes out of alignment and giving the side of the foot a swollen or bent appearance. The toe joint might develop callouses where the bunion rubs against shoes.

Is bunion a serious problem?

Although bunions often require no medical treatment, see your doctor or a doctor who specializes in treating foot disorders (podiatrist or orthopedic foot specialist) if you have: Ongoing big toe or foot pain. A visible bump on your big toe joint. Decreased movement of your big toe or foot.

Bunions – Common Causes and Treatment Options

Do bunions get worse with age?

Over time, the foot bones are squeezed into an unnatural formation causing damaged anatomy and pain. It's also a well-known fact that as we age, or gain weight, our feet spread and that worsens the problems already in place or triggers the development of bunions.

When do you need bunion surgery?

You may need bunion surgery if you have severe foot pain that happens even when walking or wearing flat, comfortable shoes. Surgery may also be needed when chronic big toe inflammation and swelling isn't relieved with rest or medicines.

When should I be concerned about bunions?

Although bunions often require no medical attention, schedule an appointment with your doctor, a podiatrist or orthopedic foot specialist if you have: Persistent big toe or foot pain that interferes with walking or daily activities. An overlap between your big toe and your second toe.

Is bunion surgery worth having?

In general, surgery for bunions is only recommended when pain from the bunion prevents a patient from wearing normal shoes and performing their normal daily activities. If your bunions only hurt when you are wearing pointy toed, high heeled shoes; surgery is not your best option.

Can bunions cause neuropathy?

A likely explanation for the pain and discomfort experienced by patients with bunions is entrapment neuropathy.

Can bunions cause leg problems?

Left untreated, bunions can lead to complications that can increase pain in the feet and legs. For example, bunions can cause the loss of the arch in the foot, misalignment of the toes, and chronic foot pain.

Can bunions cause back problems?

In other words, lower back pain can be caused by bunions, but bunions can also form due to lower back pain. While lower back pain is very common, there is a key differentiator in determining if your back pain is due to bunions. Typically, bunions cause back pain with prolonged walking.

Can bunions cause ankle problems?

Bunions limit your movement and activity

As a bunion disrupts and damages the toe and joint, it significantly affects foot function. Your ability to move is affected as pain and dysfunctional movement affect your gait and balance. Bunions are also associated with a higher risk of falling.

Can bunions throw you off balance?

Gait dysfunction

As your bunion grows, it affects the way your foot strikes the ground and how you distribute your weight. This can lead to problems that creep up the kinetic chain to the knees and hips. Bunions also throw off your balance and can cause falling, especially for the elderly.

Do bunions ever stop growing?

Once you have a bunion, it won't go away unless you have surgery. Prevent it from getting larger by taking good care of your feet and wearing the right shoes.

Can bunions affect walking?

Bunions can Limit Movement and Mobility

As bunions grow, they can begin to affect foot function negatively. Movement is accompanied by pain, and people adjust their gait and balance to compensate. Adapting your stride to accommodate a bunion changes your balance and increases your risk of falls.

How long should you stay off your feet after bunion surgery?

Post-Surgical Self-Care

You should keep your foot dry and stay off your feet for 3 to 5 days after your surgery. You should use a walker, cane, knee scooter or crutches to get around. Follow your doctor's recommendations exactly for any medications you have been given after surgery.

How long does it take to walk again after bunion surgery?

In mild to moderate cases of bunions, patients are allowed to be weight bearing immediately with the help of a knee scooter or surgical boot. They are also allowed to walk in a surgical boot /shoe. The time it takes for bones to set/mend in the corrected position generally takes six weeks.

How painful is bunion surgery?

Is bunion surgery painful? No, the surgery itself isn't painful. A local anesthetic will be used to numb your foot so you don't feel pain. You will also be given a sedative to help make you more comfortable.

What are the stages of bunions?

Can bunions cause arthritis?

Sometimes arthritis can develop in the presence of a bunion due to the prolonged abnormal position of the joint. This can occur when the bunion deformity is advanced and the MTP joint sustains repetitive trauma or a distinctive injury that sets the arthritis in motion.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a bunion?

And the answer is: Surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions once they form and become a problem. However, surgery isn't your only treatment option to relieve bunion pain. In fact, nonsurgical bunion treatments are always the first step.

What causes bunion pain to flare up?

Narrow shoes with pointy toes, especially high heels, can trigger or worsen a bunion. A different kind of bunion, called a bunionette, can form on the outside of your foot on the joint that connects your pinky toe to your foot.

Do bunions cause plantar fasciitis?

As the bunion grows larger and more painful, you are likely to unconsciously make changes in the way you walk to minimize the main from the bunion rubbing against your shoes. These gait changes can place additional strain on your arch, inflaming your plantar fascia.

Do bunions cause arch pain?

3. Flat feet. Bunions are not just problems of the big toe joint; they are actually part of a global foot problem. A bunion may cause a flat foot when the bunion is associated with increased arch mobility (a condition called hypermobility).