Tips to Ease Your Child’s Bunion Pain

One of the benefits of living in a major city like Dallas, TX is the wide range of events and activities for you and your children. Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Arboretum, Adventure Landing, and Perot Museum are merely a handful of the many possibilities. When your child has pain at the joint where the big toe connects to the foot, however, he or she may not feel much like being active. This is a possible indication of a bunion. Children’s bunions are not particularly common, but it is beneficial to know more about them in case this condition develops.

Some people are surprised to find out that bunions can affect kid’s feet, but this is something we see in young patients from time to time. Part of the surprise is due to the thought that these toe deformities are caused by women’s shoes. There is debate on that particular matter, but we do know that they can also be the result of inherited foot structure.

Given that juvenile bunions are typically a matter of inherited genes, prevention is not always possible. Fortunately, conservative methods can be rather successful for easing any associated pain. These include:

• Finding appropriate pairs of shoes. Shoes that are tight or narrow in the front are only going to cause irritation and pain from the bunion. Pick models that are wide and provide comfort.
• Using custom orthotics. These medical devices are helpful for controlling motion and reducing forces that would otherwise aggravate and worsen the bunion.
• Medication. Always consult with our office before administering medication, but over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce discomfort and swelling in the area.

There are cases where surgery makes the most sense for your child, but our preference is to use conservative care whenever possible. Surgical procedures are only considered in instances where pain is severe or the condition interferes with daily activities and non-invasive treatments have not taken care of the problem.

Our primary concern is to ensure that your children’s feet are not causing pain or interfering with normal activities. Dallas Podiatry Works is committed to the health of your whole family and has the caring, expert staff to provide the exceptional care they need. Let us help your son or daughter today! Schedule your appointment at either our Dallas or Plano, TX offices by calling at 972.853.7100 or using our online form.