It’s rumored that Paul Bunyan’s bunions were so big that when one was shaved off, it became Pikes Peak! But did Paul Bunyan really have bunions? It’s quite possible considering how big his feet must have been and also the fact that Babe the Blue Ox could have stepped on them while they were gallivanting around Minnesota!
So what is a bunion?
It is a bony bump at the base of the big toe at the joint that makes that big toe make a turn and point to his partner, toe #2! Bunions can be on one or both feet are not always painful at first, but as they progress, they may become very painful and red! Read more information about bunions here.
How did I get a bunion?
It is believed to be a result of an inherited defect and is much more likely to affect women. In fact, more than one third of women in America are believed to have bunions! Wearing those pointed toe, tight, 4 inch heels could be part of the problem and will definitely make matters worse. Does “my feet are killing me” sound familiar at the end of a long day? Extra bone tissue is actually forming at that bunion joint! Interestingly in a survey done among cultures that do not wear shoes, there were no bunions reported!
How do I get rid of my bunion?
Unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of bunions altogether. But there are treatments to help reduce the pain involved and slow down the progress. Belmont Anderson & Associates Podiatry recommends the following tips:
• Wear good fitting shoes
• Take comfortable and well-fitting shoes to wear at work if possible
• Stop wearing those tight, pointed toe, 4 inch high heels every day
• Use pads to cushion the bunion area and the area between the big toe and the second toe; sometimes that big toe will just sit atop the second!
• Sometimes anti-inflammatory medication can be taken to help with any pain and discomfort
• Surgery – schedule an appointment with Dr. Anderson and discuss the available options!
When to call Dr. Anderson?
• When the pain is keeping you from your normal activities
• Continued pain after you have started wearing well fitting shoes
• Redness, swelling and ‘hot to the touch’ can be signs of infection; see Dr. Anderson
• For diabetics it is essential to take care of your feet!
Taking care of our feet is very important. Imagine that you had to wear shoes that were 3 sizes too small all day long; soon the pain would interrupt your ability to concentrate on work or any activity. Without a doubt, those shoes would not stay on for long! Dr. Anderson & Associates are here to give you “Happy Feet” that make dancing, jumping, basketball, running and chasing little ones more enjoyable. Stop living with bunion pain and call for an appointment today before your bunions grow as big as Pikes Peak!