How to Prevent Bunions

A bunion is a protrusion on the side of a person’s foot, near the base of the big toe. Bunions cause the big toe to begin growing inwards towards the other toes. Bunions can be uncomfortable, with symptoms including pain while walking and running, swelling of the feet and toes, soreness on the inner side of the big toe, and inflammation of toe joints. While it is difficult to completely prevent bunions, there are a few things that you can do.

Wear roomy shoes with good arch support

The easiest and most important thing that you can do to prevent bunions is to wear the right kind of footwear. Shoes that are too restrictive or that lack decent side and arch support can lead to foot problems, including the formation of bunions. Roomy shoes with good arch support should be worn whenever possible.

Some studies have also found that when a person’s feet roll inwards as they walk – or pronate – that a bunion may be more likely to form. Therefore, ensuring that your shoes are providing proper foot support when walking or running could help reduce the chance that you will form a bunion by preventing your feet from rolling inwards.

See a podiatrist at the first sign of bunion formation

If a bunion is diagnosed early on, its further development can sometimes be prevented with special shoes or customized shoe inserts called orthotics. Customized orthotics can be crafted by a podiatrist to fit the exact shape of a patient’s feet and can help to prevent bunion development by structuring the best possible support. A podiatrist may also prescribe the use of toe spacers, toe splints or bunion cushions to alleviate symptoms.

Our podiatrist, Dr. Reza Mobarak, can diagnose bunions with a simple exam and make a recommendation for treatment. In you would like to schedule an appointment with our podiatrist Southwest Foot & Ankle Center, call 972-318-2738 in Lewisville, 972-805-9985 in Plano or 972-318-2655 in Irving today.