Q & A: Running with Bunions — Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center (2024)

FAQs

Q & A: Running with Bunions — Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center? ›

Q: Will I make my bunion worse by running? A: Running can definitely aggravate a bunion. Repetitive stress to the forefront and toe area - unavoidable while running - can make a bunion feel worse. So can the constant friction of the bunion against the side of your shoe.

It is possible to run with a bunion but the pressure of motion may make the pain worse. Bunion pads, taping and epitact buinion correctors can all help alleviate pressure, and pain, but will not prevent a bunion from forming or growing.

Patient's with tailors bunions should look for running shoes with sufficient depth and width in the toebox of the shoe. Mesh upper material is also preferred to reduce shear at the site of boney enlargement. Foot orthotics can also be helpful to reduce splay of the forefoot as it makes contact with the ground.

As you shift your weight off the painful big toe, you put extra pressure on the ball of your foot. As a result, inflammation and swelling develop, a condition called metatarsalgia. You may feel like you have a pebble in your shoe. Metatarsalgia leads to symptoms such as a sharp or aching pain in the sole of your foot.

A podiatrist will usually start with nonsurgical treatments. These options include bunion pads, splints, ice, special footwear, medications, and orthotics. Severe bunions, or bunions that do not respond to other treatments, may require surgery in order to remedy the problem.

Going barefoot is ideal in the beginning stages of bunions. When barefoot, the joints of the toes will get stronger, an important part of good foot health.

Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis. Smaller bunions (bunionettes) can develop on the joint of your little toe.

“The first step to treating a tailor's bunion doesn't involve surgery,” Dr. Rottman said. “Non-surgical treatment involves wearing shoes that are very wide, wearing supportive shoes and/or inserts, placing padding over the area like moleskin or silicone and stretches to release tight calf muscles.”

If your tailor's bunions are causing pain in your day-to-day, and conservative methods have not provided proper relief, then surgery can greatly improve your quality of life. Even though we can forget sometimes, our feet carry us everywhere in life, and persistent pain can be debilitating.

A: Wearing proper fitting footwear can alleviate some of the symptoms and relieve the pain of a tailor's bunion, but surgical intervention is the only way to correct the deformity. Q: Are bunions a growth of bone? A: Most people think that bunions are a growth of bone.

What part of foot hurts with bunions? ›

Early signs of bunions

Pain or tenderness in your big toe or foot. Swelling or redness around your big toe joint. Red, irritated or warm-to-the-touch skin around your big toe joint. Stiffness or limited range of motion in your big toe or foot.

Unfortunately, there is no medical research or data to support the claim that bunion correctors straighten the big toe.

In most cases, bunions can be treated nonsurgically. One of the podiatrists from our team can examine your bunion(s) and recommend a conservative treatment which includes one or more of the following: Custom shoe orthotics (inserts) that relieve pressure on the joint and align your weight in a more beneficial way.

Lapiplasty® is a new procedure using patented technology to correct not only the bunion, but its root cause. It straightens three dimensions of alignment of the metatarsal bone.

If left untreated, a bunion can cause arthritis, especially if the joint in the big toe has sustained extensive, long-term damage. Bunions may cause the cartilage in the joint to deteriorate. While bunions can be remedied through surgery, arthritis and the possibility of chronic pain are not curable.

Footwear and Orthotic Support

Taping and Padding Techniques: Utilize taping and padding techniques to provide additional cushioning and protection to the bunion area, reducing friction and discomfort while participating in sports.

If bunions are causing pain, don't give up exercise. Instead, switch to activities that don't cause pain. Swimming or bicycling are good choices because they put less pressure on the foot. Walking may substitute for jogging while you treat a bunion.

Following thousands of miles of running, it's essential to opt for shoes with a spacious toe box or an upper that provides ample room around the toes. Bunion-friendly shoes should have seamless elastic mesh in the toe area to help prevent rubbing and pressure on the bunion.