Bunions, known professionally as hallux valgus, is a bony protrusion at the base of your big toe. What happens if you ignore your bunions? Your doctor, Dr. Leonard Vekkos of Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, will share with you some of the long-term effects of bunions in Woodridge, IL.
Foot Deformity
The longer you've had your bunions, the more likely it is to progress. Soon, the angle of your big toe bends away from the midline increases. Calluses could also form at the point where your foot rubs your shoe.
Finding shoes that fit your awkwardly bent big toe becomes increasingly difficult. On the other hand, wearing sandals might be challenging due to the calluses on your feet.
Arthritis
Bunions affect how the bones in your feet relate and how you walk. If left untreated, your bunions could cause you to develop osteoarthritis. That's because your bones could rub together due to your big toe's new angular position. Soon enough, this friction causes inflammation in your foot that could eventually cause osteoarthritis.
Bursitis
Fluid-filled sacs in your joints that help to reduce friction are called the bursa. Your bunions could irritate your bursa leading to their inflammation, known as bursitis.
Bursitis is a painful condition, and rupturing a bursa can lead to a serious foot infection.
Infections
The calluses that form where your foot rubs your shoe are a potential infection site. The repeated irritation could make the infections pretty difficult to treat and manage.
Limited Mobility
As your bunions progress, your ability to move your big toe diminishes. Bending your big toe becomes more difficult and almost impossible. This limited mobility of your big toe can affect how you walk, your balance, and make standing for extended periods uncomfortable.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a deformity of the middle joint of your second toe. This deformity could be due to the pressure of your angled big toe on your second toe causing it to bend like a hammer.
There's more than one reason to treat your bunions as soon as possible.
Call (630) 852-8522 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Vekkos of Foot & Ankle Wellness Center to discuss treatment options for your bunions in Woodridge, IL.