A large study has identified several factors that may make a person more susceptible to bunion development.
The study, published online in Arthritis Care and Research, examined a cross-sectional analysis of more than 1,500 patients with bunions and their demographic information. The average age of subjects was 68.4 years, 68 percent were women, and 30 percent were African American. After examining the data, researchers uncovered that the following groups are at a heightened risk for bunions:
- Women
- African Americans
- Older Adults
- Adults who have knee/hip osteoarthritis
Researchers said doctors and patients can use this information to create prevention and treatment strategies for those who may be at an elevated risk.
“Early prevention and intervention approaches may be needed in high-risk groups,” said researchers from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Harvard Medical School. They also noted that bunion development is a major factor in many foot and ankle surgeries, so early identification and treatment is vital.
“Identifying adults with hallux valgus earlier in the life course may aid in preventing later functional limitations, such as impaired balance, in older populations.”
Dr. Silverman comments
Bunions are something we talk about quite frequently on the blog. Unlike ankle sprains or ACL tears that tend to present themselves more frequently in young, active adults, bunions can affect anyone who purchases the wrong type of footwear.
Bunions tend to develop when we squeeze into shoes that are a little too tight. Tight shoes put abnormal stress on our feet, especially if they are pointed shoes that push your outer toes inward. That’s why the vast majority of people treated for bunions are women. Men tend to wear flat soled shoes, while women typically have a few pairs of heels in their closet. Over time, heels can change the structure of your feet and fast track bunion growth.
If you’re at a heightened risk for bunion development, be cognizant about your shoewear. It’s not always practical to wear flats, but if you have to wear heels, give your feet regular breaks, and if you start to feel pain, it’s time to kick off your shoes.
Related source: MedPage Today