Here’s Why Removing Bunions Makes Sense for Young Adults

Have you been thinking about removing bunions? But you’re young, so you feel like there’s no rush to schedule surgery? You may want to reconsider that decision. And here’s why.

Removing Bunions: Important at Any Age

If you’re a women, you’re already facing higher bunion risks. In fact, women are nine times as likely to get bunions as men. (This is probably tied to wearing high heels. Because, over time, those shoes place too much pressure on the ball of your foot. That makes metatarsal bones work overtime to pick up the slack. And these two factors change the shape of your foot, often leaving you with bunions and hammertoes.)

Of course, those changes take time. But that doesn’t mean younger women aren’t at risk for bunions. In fact, today we’ll share the story of one young women in her early 20s with very painful bunions. That way, you’ll see why removing bunions in your 20s could be the smartest decision you could make.

Kacey’s Story

26-year-old Kacey Barker of Massachusetts developed a bunion. As time passed, the pain got worse, forcing her to limit participation in athletic activities. She said, “A lot of my friends thought bunions are for women who are old or who wear high-heeled shoes for decades.”

And that’s what she thought, too. Which is why she was so surprised to see a bunion, after years of choosing more supportive shoes.  Ultimately, she scheduled surgery to take back her life. And now, she has a message for other young bunion sufferers. Don’t wait until you’re older to deal with bunions. The pain will only get worse, and your life is waiting in the meantime.

So, now you know more about removing bunions. But what are these bony bumps, and why do they develop in the first place? Keep reading to find out.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is an enlargement of the base joint of your toe, right where it connects to the foot. The enlargement is formed of swollen tissue or boney growth. When swelling develops, it’s caused by a shifting of your bones from the big toe inward, impacting the other toes of the foot. As a result, the area around the base of your big toe becomes inflamed, red, and/or painful.

Formation

Genetics – people who are susceptible to bunions are often genetically predisposed.

Stress on the feet – wearing improperly fitting shoes or running and walking with improper form may cause stress on the feet. Wearing high heeled shoes puts the weight from the body onto the toes, causing further stress and bone displacement.

For more information on diagnosing and removing bunions, visit our link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Houston, TX and The Woodlands, TX.  We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot ankle injuries.

Read the full article on Bunions.