14 Early Signs of Bunion

Does your big toe feel sore when you try to walk? If you’re experiencing pain, and you notice a bump developing on the inside or underside of your big toe – you may be dealing with the development of a bunion.

Bunions occur when the big toe pushes against the inside toe, forming a bump. As a result, your big toe tends to wander over toward the other toes, and a bony growth appears over or under the joint. Bunions occur due to stress placed on the joint from wearing tight-fitting shoes and continuing to wear these types of footwear, such as high heels or boots that are too small for your feet, results in further exacerbation of your symptoms.

Arthritis and structural defects are also responsible for the development of bunions. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms of a bunion, make an appointment with your podiatrist for a diagnosis.

1.    Inflammation

As bunions start to grow, you’ll notice a significant amount of inflammation beginning to build in the joint of your big toe. At first, it’s easy to write this symptom off to the effects of another condition – such as gout.

However, as time passes, you’ll notice that the symptoms continue to progress. Most cases of gout start to subside after a few days as the uric acid crystals dissolve, but with a bunion, pain symptoms exacerbate over time.

You’ll notice that your big toe joint continues to swell, with the skin turning a red color, especially after wearing tight shoes. If left untreated and unmanaged, the bunion continues to produce swelling, until it reaches a stage where it starts to cause painful symptoms.

Doctors will refer you to a podiatrist for treatment and management of your condition. Most podiatrists treat bunions using NSAIDs and painkillers to reduce symptoms of inflammation and pain.