Bunions, also known as hallux valgus, are one of the most common foot pain problems affecting the toes and can be one of the most painful.
Generally, bunions first appear as a dull, intermittent pain in the big toe joint, and if left untreated, they progress to foot misalignment and deformities. In other cases, the pain is in the pinky toe. For many, it can be the result of ill-fitting shoes, genetic factors, or medical conditions. All these factors can contribute to bunion formation. Bunions can develop from walking, running, standing, or other physical activities, especially if you have increased the number of these activities.
Is a bump forming on the outside of the base of your big toe?
Do you have swelling, redness, or pain around your big toe joint?
Is the movement of your big toe restricted?
Has your doctor diagnosed you with bunions?
Are you looking for ways to relieve this foot pain before surgery is the only solution?
WHAT IS HALLUX VALGUS?
BUNIONS ARE A COMMON TOE CONDITION.
Bunions or hallux valgus are one of the most frequently diagnosed foot conditions. Curious about what a bunion is? A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the joint of the big toe. Without proper foot care, bunions can lead to surgery as the only treatment. There are also beliefs that bunions are genetic. Our team covers the causes of bunions, discusses the belief about genetics, and several foot care solutions in a recent blog about bunions.
Sometimes bunions are smaller and tend to form on the outside of the foot, at the base of the pinky toe rather than the big toe. Also called a tailor's bunion, it is a painful bump that is usually swollen. Wearing ill-fitting or too-tight shoes can be a cause. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes with wide toe boxes and flexible uppers. If the area is severely deformed or the pain is significant, surgery may be considered.
WHAT CAUSES BUNIONS?
Are your shoes causing your bunions?
According to the Mayo Clinic, hallux valgus or bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. It occurs when certain bones in the front part of the foot shift. Similarly, the same bony bump can form on the outside of the foot, at the base of the little toe, and this is called a bunionette. In both cases, you may experience foot pain and may need surgery if you do not regularly care for your feet. Bunions and bunionettes are debated as to whether they are genetic foot problems or caused by your shoes or something else.
THE BEST FOOT CARE FOR BUNIONS
BUNION TREATMENT AND FOOT ALIGNMENT CORRECTION
Your shoes can be one of the main culprits for bunions. There is no one-size-fits-all shoe for everyone. We often find that the shoes you wear can be the cause of your foot pain. If you add poor foot care to that, you might consider surgery as the only treatment.
Many factors go into choosing the best shoe for foot pain. This can be a combination of shoes and orthotics. It could be a low-heeled shoe rather than a high heel or stiletto. It could be a shoe with a deeper toe box that gives your toes more space inside the shoe. We recommend consulting a specialized shoe store or your doctor for shoes tailored to your specific needs.
FOOT ALIGNMENT SOCKS AND NIGHT SPLINTS
Many physiotherapists and doctors recommend wearing socks that gently spread the toes and stretch the arch of the foot, to keep space between the toes. This is a simple gesture to adopt when resting, while watching TV or at the end of the day.
Pedi-Sense alignment socks follow this principle: they gently spread each toe and are comfortably worn at rest, for a real moment of foot relaxation. Want to try them? Discover them in our online store.
