We treat many women patients here at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists for bunions that are causing pain or keeping them from favorite activities. For a lot of people, this makes sense because “women’s footwear causes bunions.” Unfortunately, the truth isn’t quite that simple. If it were, we would never have to provide bunion treatment for kids or men!
In reality, children and men also develop these common toe deformities, which means that there must be other reasons besides women’s footwear for this misalignment of the big toe joint. As we take a closer look at the condition, we find that adult and juvenile bunion causes are actually quite similar. Even further, the problem actually started in childhood for countless patients.
Bunions are progressive, which means they worsen over time when left untreated. Juvenile bunions that are undiagnosed will likely become a larger problem in time, so it is important to notice if a son or daughter develops the characteristic bump at the base of the big toe.
We’ve ruled out women’s footwear as being one of the juvenile bunion causes, so what does lead to the development of these toe deformities in children? Well, some of the possible options include:
- Inherited foot type. There is likely a genetic component to the condition, since it seems to run in families. If your dad, or more likely your mom (because females of all ages are considerably more at risk) has a bunion, your risk factor is greater than it otherwise would be.
- Foot injuries. In addition to genetics, traumatic foot injuries can create issues with the big toe’s metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint – where the issue develops. If an injury disrupts the joint’s balance, then a juvenile bunion is certainly possible.
- Congenital (present at birth) structural issues. Perhaps the largest contributor to juvenile bunions is congenital foot structure. Both hypermobility in the big toe’s MTP joint and low arches (flatfoot) can lead to a bunion.
Are You Looking for a Bunion Specialist in Austin, TX?
If you are looking for bunion care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatrist. Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.
