This is really a two-part answer, and it involves both genetics and lifestyle.
Many bunions can be traced back to structural faults. Your feet are designed to spread the force of your body weight evenly across the sole, but flat feet, unusual bone structure, and other conditions—many of which are inherited—can put the joint at the base of your big toe under extra stress, pushing it out of place.
At the same time, wearing high heels or ill-fitting shoes that restrict toe movement can exacerbate the forces on weakened joints, triggering bunion formation as well. That’s one reason why bunions are much more common in women than men.
If you’re experiencing pain and wake up saying “I wish I didn’t have to deal with this bump on my big toe,” don’t wait—call the experts at Family Foot and Ankle Center. We have six locations in Greater Cincinnati to serve you. Call (513) 728-4800 for one of our Ohio-based offices, or (859) 282-1572 for Kentucky.
