Bunions are painful, bony bumps that develop on the joint located at the base of your big toe. Over time, a bunion Los Angeles can cause redness, pain, swelling, and inflammation in the surrounding area. These symptoms can be exacerbated by regular activities like wearing shoes and walking.
Bunions are unsightly and can make your foot appear deformed. However, they are more than a cosmetic concern. Untreated bunions can cause untold pain and mobility problems. Here is a look at five reasons you should seek bunion treatment promptly.
Impaired Foot Function
Bunions cause foot pain and irritation. This discomfort can cause you to shift your weight consistently in a bid to relieve pressure in the joint. Over time, this could transfer the pain to the ball of your foot – a condition known as metatarsalgia.
All of these problems can cause misalignment in your feet, which could impair foot function. You may notice that you are less able to move your big toe and have difficulty starwikibio walking or standing. Left unchecked, impaired foot function can compromise your safety.
Corns, Hammertoe, and Bursitis
When your big toe pushes inward towards your other toes, it causes irritation and friction. This can cause hammertoes, bursitis, and corn to develop. Bursitis occurs when the bursae are inflamed and become infected or burst. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints.
A hammertoe, on the other hand, is a bone inflammation that occurs in the balls of the feet. It happens due to uneven weight distribution in the feet caused by overcompensating when you walk.
Severe Pain and Discomfort
Bunions cause your feet to become misshapen. Because shoes are not designed to accommodate a protruding joint, wearing them can quickly become uncomfortable and painful. The joint misalignment can also cause uneven weight distribution that could result in lower back, hip, and leg pain.
The pain and discomfort caused by a bunion can be so severe as to force you into a sedentary lifestyle. It could make mundane activities like walking and exercise excruciating. Over time, your lack of activity can put you at risk of chronic illness and weight gain.
Foot Arthritis
Bunions can increase your risk of developing arthritis. They cause misalignment in the joint of your big toe and can cause unusual friction. As the bones in your toe continually rub against each other, the cartilage in the joint thins and wears away.
The continuous bone-on-bone movement causes rapid deterioration, inflammation, and stiffness. This can cause osteoarthritis, which can result in further mobility complications.
Gait Problems
Your big toe may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things – being so small compared to other body parts. However, it plays a crucial role in your gait and balance. Consequently, an untreated bunion can affect weight distribution in your feet and how your foot hits the ground when you walk.
These complications can result in problems with how you stand and walk. The effects can ripple through to your hips and knees, further throwing off your balance. In elderly patients, bunions can increase fall and injury risk.
Seek Bunion Treatment Early for the Best Results
Bunions develop slowly over time. And while they may begin as a minor discomfort, they can cause significant complications over time. Bunions can alter the structure of your feet and make it difficult to wear shoes or walk properly.
This is why you should seek bunion treatment even when the symptoms seem minor. A board-certified podiatrist can use minimally invasive surgery to correct a bunion or help allmeaninginhindi you adapt to the changes in your feet. To learn more, call a podiatrist today and schedule a consultation.
