Women over the age of 40 are the group that is most likely to be affected by the onset of a bunion, but they certainly aren’t the only ones that deal with a problematic bunion. Some people deal with a bunion much earlier in life, even in adolescence. Pediatric bunions aren’t all that common, but they can be trickier to treat than a standard bunion on a patient in the typical demographic, so it deserves special attention. Below, we take a closer look at why pediatric bunions develop and how they can be best treated.
Why Do Kids Develop Bunions?
If you’re familiar with bunions and bunion development, you know that poorly-fitting shoes are the biggest contributor to the condition in an average patient. In children, while ill-fitting shoes can certainly make the problem worse, it’s typically not the lone cause. Big toe joint deformation typically develops after decades or pressure and stress, so irregular forces aren’t usually the only underlying cause when it develops in children and teens who haven’t been on their feet as long. More often, there is an underlying deformity in the ligaments of the metatarsophalangeal joint.
When the ligaments of this joint are loose, either from a developmental issue or as a result of acute trauma, the joint can become unstable and mobile. This can cause excess pressure to be placed on the joint with every step your child takes, shifting the big toe joint outward and leading to the onset of a bunion.
The good news is that for many children dealing with the beginning stages of a bunion, oftentimes the condition is asymptomatic, meaning that it doesn’t cause pain. The bump may be a little unsightly and there may be some discomfort when wearing certain types of shoes, but pain typically isn’t a symptom that is described in mild to moderate pediatric bunions. That being said, just because they aren’t causing pain, doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Left untreated, pediatric bunions can continue to worsen, leading to eventual pain and the possibility that the joint becomes arthritic.
Treating Pediatric Bunions
Treating bunions in children is a little different than how we go about treating a standard bunion. Because a foot typically stops growing around the age of 16, we are more hesitant to suggest surgery on a foot that is still developing. Even when the operation goes as planned, it can still affect the child’s growth plate. Moreover, there are conservative options that work to strengthen these loose metatarsophalangeal ligaments, meaning that the problem can often self-correct as bones and joints continue to develop alongside non-operative treatments. We don’t want to perform an operation when conservative treatments can do the trick, so oftentimes we really turn to non-operative options when looking to correct pediatric bunions.
Non-operative treatment options that may be used in conjunction with one another include:
- Changing footwear to a more roomier option to take stress off the bunion.
- Wearing a splint at night to help keep the joint in place.
- Beginning a stretching or physical therapy routine to strengthen these loose supportive ligaments.
- Orthotic inserts to help correct biomechanical issues contributing to your bunion.
- Anti-inflammatory medications
If these treatments fail to provide relief and the surgeon is not concerned about growth plate issues, a minimally invasive surgical operation to realign the big toe joint may be recommended. These operations typically have a high success rate, but most patients do not need to progress to this level of care because they have seen progress with non-operative techniques.
If your child is showing signs of a bunion, or they complain about discomfort in their big toe joint, have them examined by Dr. Neufeld and the team at The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics. We’ll provide a clear diagnosis and set you up with a care plan tailored to your individual needs. For more information, reach out to our clinic today.
FAQs
Your child should wear their well-fitting shoes all the time. Switching back to poorly fitting shoes that squeeze the toes will be painful and could increase the risk that your child's bunions will become larger and more painful.
How do you prevent bunions? ›
Bunion prevention and management: 5 things to start doing
- Make sure your shoes are the right size and fit. ...
- Avoid wearing high heels every day (or retire them altogether) ...
- Rest your feet. ...
- Do bunion stretches and exercises to strengthen your feet. ...
- Monitor your feet for changes.
No one knows for sure exactly why juvenile hallux valgus occurs. This disorder tends to run in families. Young people with flat feet are more likely to have a bunion deformity. Tight, poorly fitting shoes also predispose to the development of juvenile hallux valgus.
What is the best solution for bunion? ›
Treatment
- Changing shoes. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes that provide plenty of space for your toes.
- Padding. Over-the-counter, nonmedicated bunion pads or cushions may be helpful. ...
- Medications. ...
- Shoe inserts. ...
- Applying ice.
Bunions can become so painful that wearing shoes or even walking is difficult. Bunions can be prevented, but once they develop they can't be reversed.
Can toe spreaders prevent bunions? ›
While toe spacers may potentially help slow the progression of bunions, they cannot fully prevent them from forming. However, making certain lifestyle changes, such as wearing comfortable shoes that fit properly (find our recommendations here).
Are there exercises to prevent bunions? ›
There are also several foot exercises that you can try which can strengthen the foot and reduce the likelihood of developing foot pain and bunions. These exercises include heel raises, toe raises, toe curls, toe extensions, arch tilts, and ankle eversions and inversions.
What is the root cause of bunions? ›
Bunion. Bunions are usually caused by prolonged pressure put on the feet that compresses the big toe and pushes it toward the second toe. Over time, the condition may become painful as extra bone grows where the base of the big toe meets the foot.
How I cured my bunions without surgery? ›
- Massage and Exercise Your Feet. One of the simplest ways to treat your bunions without surgery is to, in fact, exercise your feet. ...
- Take a Paracetamol. ...
- Soak Your Feet in a Foot Bath. ...
- Ice Your Feet. ...
- Put Your Feet Up! ...
- Try Castor Oil. ...
- Try Bunion Pads. ...
- Try Bunion Splints.
Yet some bunions become large and painful and make it hard to wear shoes. Conservative treatments, like switching to well-fitting shoes or adding an orthotic inside the shoes, usually relieve the pain. In rare cases, however, children need bunion surgery.
In most cases, bunions develop in adulthood. Rarely, children may be born with bunions (known as congenital hallux valgus) or develop them later in childhood (juvenile or adolescent hallux valgus).
Can anything reverse a bunion? ›
Bunions can't be reversed, and unfortunately, they don't go away on their own. Once you have a bunion, it will likely continue to grow over time. Luckily, many people don't need to have surgery to treat their bunions. It's possible to find pain relief through home remedies, orthotics and other treatments.
Can bunions shrink naturally? ›
Bunions can be managed at home and with the help of a medical professional such as a podiatrist to reduce symptoms. Options include changing footwear if necessary, using pain relievers, doing bunion stretches, and even using nighttime splints. However, bunions don't shrink, dissolve, or reverse from these treatments.
How do you stop a bunion from progressing? ›
Give your toes room
In other words, heels with pointy toes are enemy number one when it comes to problems like bunions. If you see your big toe start to shift toward your second toe, you should ditch those cramped shoes in favor of those that provide space for your feet and toes to spread out evenly.
How do you fix early bunions? ›
Avoid pointy or heeled shoes. Use orthotics and other devices — Over the counter or custom-made orthotics can help relieve pressure off your bunion. Toe spacers, braces, and bunions splints can also be used to help correct alignment of your big toe and reduce stress on your big toe.
Is it normal for a 13 year old to have bunions? ›
Juvenile bunions tend to be most common in girls between the ages of 10-15, but boys are capable of developing them as well. Having flat feet, overpronation, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and other factors can increase one's risk.
Can you reduce bunions naturally? ›
Bunions can be managed at home and with the help of a medical professional such as a podiatrist to reduce symptoms. Options include changing footwear if necessary, using pain relievers, doing bunion stretches, and even using nighttime splints. However, bunions don't shrink, dissolve, or reverse from these treatments.
