Common Signs of Bunions to Watch Out For

Sometimes it is easy to overlook the early signs of a medical condition. For instance, you may ignore a pain that comes and go or use painkillers for short-term relief. However, most conditions, including bunions, are degenerative, meaning they worsen with time if left untreated. Recently, many individuals have been struggling with bunions New York due to overlooking signs of this condition. If you have been struggling with discomfort and swelling around the outside of your big toe, you should seek medical attention immediately. Now, let’s elaborate on the common signs of bunions you should watch out for.

Big Toe Joint Soreness or Swelling

While your shoes may not feel noticeably different, when your big toe joint is swollen, sore, or irritated after wearing the shoes for some time, a bunion could be responsible for the discomfort. As a result, you may experience pain when you wear tight shoes, which can be devastating. Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider to confirm if a bunion is the root of the discomfort.

Restricted Big Toes Range of Motion

Since a bunion hinders the normal movement of your big toe joints, a decreased range of motion could be a warning sign of an underlying bunion. You will also experience difficulty bending one of your big toes, or the movement of one big toe will be uncomfortable. Fortunately, a healthcare provider can offer treatment, including surgery, to eliminate the discomfort in your big toe.

Joint Pain

If you experience recurrent pain when walking, it might result from an infected big toe from a bunion. Moreover, if bending the big toe joint is painful, you should contact your doctor immediately, as it could indicate a bunion. Wear loose shoes to see if you can bend the toe. If this method does not work, consult your doctor immediately. Even though feeling pain in one of your big toes is normal, a foot specialist should check a persistent pain that does not resolve in a few days.

A Visible Bump

A visible bump is one of the common signs of an existing bunion. Your big toe will appear to have a bump on the side of its joint. Even though it may be the easiest sign to identify, you should not rely on it. When it reaches this stage of being noticeably formed, it is more challenging to treat. Whenever you notice a protrusion or bump on the joint side, notify your foot expert immediately.

Inability to Bend Your Big Toe

Bunions mainly cause little and limited joint movement. The pain results from bone spurs which can restrict the motion and foot function in your walking pattern. Usually, the walking pattern changes as your body tries to eliminate the sore joint. Moreover, a hammertoe can develop due to bunions leading to pressure, limiting your ability to bend your big toe.

Appropriately working big toes are integral for climbing stairs, walking, and standing up. However, many people only account for their importance once it becomes challenging to bend them. Therefore, if you start noticing an abnormal change in shape in your big toe (s), you should see your doctor to receive a bunion evaluation. Early interventions are essential in preventing chronic problems from happening in the future.