Straight talking - Let's chat about bunions!

Now that we’re well and truly into winter, your cosy ugg boots have probably made an appearance. Being soft and cosy they are just the trick for those cool winter nights, and no doubt something you crave if you have bunions.

If you’ve noticed your foot becoming wider across the toe area, and previously well-fitting shoes are now tight and uncomfortable, you may be developing a bunion. Or maybe you’ve always had footwear restrictions because of a bunion but it’s become more noticeable and painful when it wasn’t before.
 
We still don’t actually know what causes bunions, but it’s likely they are the result of a combination of factors, including a strong family history. We inherit genes that give us our foot type and function, and these factors determine whether or not we are likely to develop bunions. Both men and women can develop bunions and there is even a juvenile form of bunions that can occur in children.
 
Many people have bunions and not all require surgical treatment. Unfortunately, many people are told not to seek treatment unless their bunions are killing them, and as a result we often see bunions in the elderly which have been untreated. The more advanced the bunion deformity, the more likely it is that there are other associated problems, like crooked toes (called hammer toes) which can rub on shoes and become painful. And the more chance there is cartilage damage inside the bunion joint. Surgery is indicated if you have pain or difficulty fitting into shoes, and all other treatment options have failed.



Bunions are progressive which means they usually get worse over time. Research has shown that in older people, bunions have been linked to falling over. Let’s face it, we don’t need to add to the list of obstacles that can cause falls. And we want to stay on our feet for as long as we can