To get a good handle on your foot condition is to identify and know how to treat it. To do that, you need to be fed with facts.
Bunions can be hard to detect and treat without the right information. So here are some fast facts about them. We also offer facts about what a bunion pad can do for you if you have bunions already.
Bunions have a lot more going on than simply being an annoying bulge sticking out from the side of your foot. Get these facts and be equipped to handle the foot condition with finesse.
The early stages of bunions are invisible. When you walk barefoot indoors or at the beach, your feet will look just like any other foot—albeit, of course, with its unique form and shape.
So how do you know if you have early-stage bunions if they’re not bulging out? You will feel a degree of foot pain in the area where it's supposed to grow, which is at the joint of your big toe.
Bunions don't always grow on the base of your big toe. They can also grow on the opposite end. If you see a bulge on the base of your small toe, that's what you call a tailor's bunion.
This happens when the joint bones of your pinky toe become misaligned because they get pushed towards the rest of the toes. Tailor's bunion pads treat this form of the bunion and help relieve foot pain.
Certain groups of people are susceptible to bunions. There are men and women out there who are predisposed to get bunions because of random hereditary or genetic factors. While it would be difficult to know for sure if you’ve got the bunion genes, it pays to take care of your feet regardless.
In general, women are more susceptible to getting bunions than men. Tight-fitting shoes (like pointed heels) are common to women and are factors that cause or even exacerbate the development of bunions.
In some cases, bunions don't occur as a standalone condition. They can be a by-product or even a companion of one or several foot illnesses.
Rheumatoid arthritis: This foot illness has symptoms of inflammation and pain that occur in any joint. If you have arthritis, it could also lead to complications such as bunions if you don't take care of your feet.
Osteoarthritis: When the cartilage on the joints of bones degrades, you get osteoarthritis. The weakened cartilage can affect your toes and could weaken it. As a result, you'll be more likely to get bunions.
Gout: Another foot-related illness, except it doesn't merely target the foot. Gout targets joints. When it does, severe swelling and pain will be felt. In most cases, it is usually felt on the lower body.
If you have bunions, surgery must be the last resort to treating them.
Practically speaking, surgery can cost you a fortune and can be a risky procedure. Therefore, podiatrists will recommend non-surgical treatments and will only advise surgery if the bunion is severe.
On the other hand, a good treatment regimen done regularly will help prevent the progression of bunions, but if this isn't done and your bunions get worse, surgery must be performed.
Good candidates for bunion surgery should exhibit the following conditions:
Surgical procedures for bunions will involve removing the bunion bulge and realigning the joint bones to bring the toes back to their natural alignment.
Bunions in their infant stages can be prevented from escalating with care. Consistent application of non-surgical treatments will help you avoid going under the knife. The following will help you provide bunion support for your feet:
Bunion pads are effective tools in the non-surgical treatment of this foot illness. Here are some facts that will help you understand why that’s so.
Materials used in producing bunion pads are hypoallergenic and flexible, yet hard enough to keep toes separate. A silicone bunion pad is one example. This material is comfortable to wear because it doesn't cause friction on the skin.
A bunion gel pad is also made from medical-grade gel. That means it is safe to use as a form of treatment. Gel pads also don't slip and can be washed and reused easily.
Bunion pads can be designed for night use. Bunion sufferers feel considerable discomfort when wearing their everyday shoes. Adding a toe pad into the mix may cause even more shoe pressure and foot pain.
Another reason why bunion pads are used at night is that pain is often more pronounced when feet are idle. The throbbing swell becomes a nuisance and will interrupt your sleep. In this case, bunion pads can be worn to soothe your feet and help you get a good night's sleep.
Pads for bunions are very easy to purchase. You can get bunion pads at CVS and other specialty stores at the right price, and wear them right away. Bunion pads can also be bought online in virtual marketplaces such as Amazon, and shipped to your address in no time.
Pads can be designed to fit with your footwear. If you are an active person, there are bunion pads for shoes that can be purchased easily. This variety is perfect for athletes and fitness buffs who want to function better and enjoy their sport while still addressing their toe health.
Bunion pads built for footwear are designed to prevent the progression of bunions right when they are most prevalent—while wearing tightly fitting shoes. It keeps your toes aligned and supports your arches in your shoes while relieving you of any tension caused by narrow toe boxes.
As a caveat, not all bunion pads designed for outdoor use will fit the footwear you currently sport. It’s best to get another shoe with a wider toe box for your comfort.
Long-term use of bunion pads can have a corrective capacity, especially for mild bunions. Following a bunion pad treatment religiously will eventually realign your toes.
However, this isn't a standalone treatment. You'll have to support it with other non-surgical treatments and good foot practices for it to work. So throw out those narrow shoes and replace them with comfortable ones. Get your body mass index (BMI) to a healthy level, and always wear your bunion pads whenever you get a chance. For more information, click here.
