Prom is just months away and with that comes a lot of primping and preparing. Teenagers can suffer from bunions just as adults can, so it’s important to help them treat these pesky bumps on their feet before they put their dress shoes on and dance all night.
A bunion is a bump that forms on the side of the big toe. Many things can contribute to their developing. One big factor is genetics. Parents pass along a foot structure to their children that makes them more likely to develop a misaligned joint where the big toe joins the foot. Another reason is wearing shoes that don’t fit very well. In children and teenagers it has less to do with wearing high heels, but more to do with wearing shoes that are simply too tight.
These bony prominences can cause pain, but they don’t always. Children are less likely to feel discomfort, because they don’t have the extra bony growth that many adults do. This is good because it makes treatment slightly easier.
It’s a good idea to start off with the footwear. Make sure your child’s shoes fit correctly and that they leave plenty of wiggle room in the toe box. Get them professionally fitted to make sure they are wearing the right size. To protect the joint, they can use a padded insert to prevent a callus from forming.
Since bunions in children are usually due to genetics, it’s important to try to address the structural problems before the condition worsens. We can often do that with custom orthotics and physical therapy. Only in severe cases, when conservative remedies haven’t taken care of the problem and there is immense pain involved, would we recommend surgery.
If you have more questions regarding the treatment or prevention of bunions call Dr. Peyman Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ. We know your children are important to you, and we are here to help.
Photo Credit: Dabambic via Pixabay.com
