Bunions are typically considered a foot condition that affects older adults, and while that group certainly makes up the majority of patients, they aren’t the only individuals felled by the foot condition. We also work with children and teens who are finding it hard to walk without discomfort or wear their favorite pair of shoes because of a bunion formation. But why do bunions develop in younger populations, and how can they be treated? We explore the causes and treatment options for juvenile bunions in today’s blog.
Causes Of Juvenile Bunions
In children and teens, bunions a typically caused by an alignment issue with the big toe. In older adults, this alignment problem can develop as a result of decades of stress on the feet and big toe joint, but this isn’t the case with children and teens. Their alignment issue tends to stem from a genetic predisposition to toe misalignment. If juvenile bunions were a problem for the parents, they could be an issue for the child. However, an alignment issue could also be caused by major trauma or injury to the foot that affects the growth pattern, or as a result of regularly wearing shoes that are overly tight, as this puts additional pressure on the big toe joint.
Bunions in children and teens are less likely to be painful like an adult bunion, but they can still present with:
- Discomfort
- Redness
- Soreness
- Swelling
- Numbness
- A visible prominence on the side of the base of the big toe joint
Treating Bunions In Teens
If your child is complaining about foot pain at the base of their big toe or you notice a red or swollen bump, consider setting up an appointment with your primary care physician or a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. Silverman. They will review your child’s medical information, ask them about their symptoms and take a closer look at the foot during a physical exam. It’s also possible that they may order imaging tests to get an inside look at the big toe joint.
In children and teens, juvenile bunion treatment almost always begins with a variety of conservative treatments. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and stop any further bunion progression. Caught early enough, a combination of techniques tends to prove quite successful at managing symptoms. Some of the most common treatment options include:
- Footwear changes
- Foot splints
- Cold packs
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Custom orthotics
- Exercise/Physical Therapy
- Weight loss
- Toe spacers
In rare instances where the bunion does not respond to treatment, a minimally invasive corrective procedure may be recommended. During the procedure, the surgeon make a couple very small incisions near the joint in order to access the area. The joint is then carefully realigned and stabilized so that it can continue to grow and maintain an ideal alignment. The small incision sites are then closed and the patient is sent off to a recovery room. You’ll eventually start to bear more weight on the foot over the first six weeks before jumping into a basic physical therapy routine. Slowly but surely you’ll continue to make progress until you’re fully healed around 3-4 months post-op.
