Bunions, which are also called hallux valgus, look like a bony lump on the side of the big toe. It generally occurs when certain bones in and around your front foot move away from their usual place. Due to this, your big toe which should be straight, begins to lean closer to your second big toe. In many cases, this bump is almost painless. However, if it is not treated for a certain period of time, it can cause pain and may lead to permanent deformity.
Causes of shenandoah bunions:
- Inherited foot structure: Such foot conditions may be inherited from family members, which is caused due to a genetic predisposition. Hence, if anyone in your family has bunions, you are more likely to get them in the future. Therefore, you must take extra precautions, and even if you develop a minor symptom, get in touch with a doctor to begin the diagnosis of your condition.
- Abnormalities in the foot: If you are suffering from flat feet or low arches, you have a greater risk of developing bunions in your foot. Due to these abnormal formations, your balance while walking, running, or standing may get disturbed, and it may lead to the formation of bunions.
- Wearing improper footwear: If you are in the habit of wearing tight, narrow, or high-heeled slippers and shoes, you are putting too much pressure on your toes, leaving very little room for movement. This increases your risk of developing bunions, and your toe joints may get deformed over time.
- Trauma or injury to the foot: If you have been in an accident or any kind of injury where your toe joint got affected, you may develop bunions sooner or later. Getting involved in an accident may change the structure of the foot, due to which the bones may get misaligned and cause bunions.
- Arthritis: Not all types of arthritis cause bunions, but some of them, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can contribute to the development of bunions. Arthritis causes inflammation in the foot and also damages the muscles and the bones. Due to this, the proper alignment of the foot and the toes get mismatched and lead to the formation of bunions.
- Change in hormones: Numerous studies have shown that certain hormonal factors, such as imbalances in hormones, changes during pregnancy, etc., may also play a significant role in the development of bunions.
Hence, if you begin to experience any symptoms related to bunions, consult with a healthcare professional so that an accurate diagnosis can be started on time.