ADOLESCENT BUNION
If your child has a bunion, he or she could be wearing shoes that are either too tight, have a narrow toe, or have a heel on them. While wearing heels does not cause bunions, it can make symptoms appear sooner. Shoes can also be the cause of other foot issues such as corns, calluses, and hammer toes.
If your child needs surgery or casting, our Fracture Care Clinic opens every day and you do not need an appointment. Surgery rooms get scheduled every morning, so your child receives the care and attention they need right away.
Adolescent Bunion
A bunion is an uncomfortable bony growth that develops near the big toe joint on the inside of the foot. A juvenile hallux is one that develops during childhood. Adults get bunions because of extra bone growth, which causes inflammation. The cause is different in youth. Bunions in children and teenagers are caused by a misalignment of the big toe, which is a structural issue that causes the bones of the foot to point in and move the cartilage of the big toe over the smaller toes, resulting in the formation of a bunion.
What Is A Bunion?
A bunion is a bony bump on the big toe’s base. It occurs when the joint that connects the toe to the foot swells and protrudes. Bunions are most commonly found in both feet of children. The majority of bunions do not require treatment. However, on the other hand, some enlarge over time, causing the big toe to angle in toward the second toe and making wearing any type of shoe painful. This can result in shoe rubbing and irritation of the skin and tissue overlying the bone. The big toe’s pressure can push the second toe out of alignment, causing it to overlap with the third toe. While bunions are most common in adult women, they can also occur in tweens and teens aged 10 to 15. Bunions are three times more common in teenage girls than in boys.
Adolescent Bunion
Other types of bunions exist in addition to the common bunion. Adolescent bunions are, as the names indicate, bunions that occur in young people. These bunions are most common in young girls aged 10 to 15. While an adult’s bunion usually limits motion in the MTP joint, a young person with a bunion can usually move the big toe up and down. However, an adolescent bunion can still be painful and make wearing shoes difficult.
Bunionette
A Bunionette, also known as a “tailor’s bunion,” is a condition that occurs on the outside of the foot near the base of the little toe. A Bunionette is similar to a bunion, although in a different location on the foot. You can have tough corn or callus above the hump in addition to painful bursitis.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What are Adolescent Bunions?
Adolescent bunions, also known as juvenile or teen bunions, are a condition in which a bony bump forms at the base of the big toe joint in teenagers. This condition is similar to adult bunions but occurs in younger individuals. Adolescent bunions can be painful and may cause the big toe to deviate towards the other toes, leading to discomfort and difficulty with footwear.
What causes Adolescent Bunions?
The exact cause of adolescent bunions is not always clear, but they often develop due to a combination of factors. Hereditary factors play a significant role, as the tendency to develop bunions can run in families. Additionally, certain biomechanical factors, such as overpronation or flat feet, may contribute to the development of bunions in adolescents. Wearing poorly fitting shoes that squeeze the toes together can also exacerbate the condition.
How are Adolescent Bunions Treated?
Treatment for adolescent bunions may vary based on the severity of the condition and the individual’s age. Conservative treatment options are typically explored first and may include wearing properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box and arch support, using padding or orthotics to relieve pressure on the bunion, and engaging in physical therapy exercises to improve foot function. In some cases, custom orthotics or shoe modifications may be recommended. If conservative measures do not provide relief, or the bunion becomes significantly painful or deforms the foot, surgical intervention may be considered, but this is rare in adolescents.
Adolescent Bunion Symptoms
The severity of adolescent bunions affects the symptoms. While the majority of bunions are not painful, symptoms may include:
- A bony projection at the foot of the big toe joint
- Swelling or soreness at the base of the big toe.
- Having trouble finding shoes that fit.
- Discomfort when walking or playing sports.
- The feeling of burning.
- Flat feet or pronated feet
- Hypermobility of joints (loose ligaments, floppy joints).
Bunion symptoms can be confused with those of other medical conditions or problems. Always seek a diagnosis from an orthopedic doctor like those in our practice.
Adolescent Bunion Causes
Bunions are frequently an inherited family trait in adolescents. Certain medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, increase a child’s risk of developing bunions. There are numerous theories about how bunions form, but the precise cause is unknown. Factors are likely to include:
- Foot type is inherited.
- Foot strain or injury
- Deformities that exist at birth.
Experts disagree on whether tight, high-heeled, or too-narrow shoes cause bunions or merely contribute to their development. Bunions may be linked to certain types of arthritis, particularly inflammatory ones like rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosing an Adolescent Bunion
Make an appointment with our office and if your child or adolescent is experiencing bunion symptoms we will provide the best advice and treatment needed by using the following tools:
A physical examination
The doctor will look for things like proper foot alignment, walking alignment, weight-bearing alignment, and how the affected joint moves during the exam.
Imaging tests
To determine the severity of the condition, our orthopedist may order tests such as an X-ray and a CT scan.
Blood tests
We may order blood tests to check whether another condition contributed to the bunion. The doctor will also want to know what shoes your child wears and which shoes aggravate his or her symptoms. They will try to determine whether the bunion is causing any pain and whether the bunion is causing any functional limitations. Other conditions that are similar to bunions exist. Arthritis, hammer toe, bursitis, and joint infection can also occur and cause symptoms similar to a bunion. During his evaluation, our doctors would rule out these conditions.
Schedule an appointment today to treat your child for an Adolescent Bunion
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Bunions can be relieved through lifestyle changes:
Properly fitting footwear
Shoes with enough space inside for the toes can relieve pressure. A good shoe store will measure your feet and advise you on appropriate footwear options. Also known as orthotics, inserts relieve toe pressure. Toe padding, taping, or splinting can provide support and reduce irritation.
Physical therapy
Treatments such as ultrasound therapy, whirlpool therapy, massage, and heat therapy can provide relief from bunion pain.
Avoiding activities that cause pain
Such as standing for long periods of time or engaging in contact sports.
Ice
Applying ice to the affected area can aid in the reduction of swelling.
Medication
Medication is effective in reducing pain and swelling. Ibuprofen, for example, can help with pain and swelling. They are available without a prescription.
Cortisone injections
These can help to reduce swelling, especially in the fluid-filled pads that cushion the bones. You can get guidance on this from a doctor.
Adolescent Bunion Surgery
Surgery is not advised for teenagers with bunions unless they have previously replaced ill-fitting shoes, are using an orthotic, or both. If they continue to experience severe foot pain that limits their daily activities, surgery may be an option. The purpose of surgery is to relieve pain and correct deformities. Surgery for purely cosmetic reasons is not advised. Some bunions may necessarily require surgery. When bunions require surgery, several options are available. The following situations may require surgical recommendations:
- Suffer from pain and inflammation that does not respond to other treatments.
- Have a severe enough deformity that the toe may cross over another toe.
- Due to stiffness, cannot bend or straighten a toe.
Younger people with bunions rarely require bunion surgery. A full recovery from surgery can take up to 6 months. Regular doctor’s appointments may be required. The goal of surgery is to alleviate pain, realign the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and correct any deformities that are causing the problem.
Repairing of The Tendons and Ligaments
This procedure involves cutting any weak joint tissues and lengthening the toe. Tendon and ligament repair are frequently performed concurrently with osteotomies.
Osteotomy
This is a procedure for realigning the joint. To repair the bone, doctors use pins, screws, or plates.
Bunion Surgery with Minimal Severity
The bone is cut and repositioned in this procedure, which is similar to traditional bunion correction. However, the incisions are much smaller, and patients usually recover faster.
Arthrodesis
The swollen joint surface is removed during this procedure. The surgeon will then insert screws, wires, or plates to keep the joint together while it heals. This procedure is typically used to help people who have severe bunions, arthritis, or who have had unsuccessful bunion surgery.
Exostectomy
The bump on the toe joint is removed by the surgeon. This surgery is frequently carried out in combination with an osteotomy. Exostectomy usually does not treat the underlying cause of the bunion.
Arthroplasty with Resection
This procedure removes the damaged portion of the toe joint, allowing for more space between the toe bones. Surgeons reserve this procedure:
- Elderly people who have a bunion.
- Those who have had bunion surgery that did not resolve the issue.
- Those suffering from severe arthritis and unable to undergo arthrodesis.
Risk Factors and Complications
Bunions, if left untreated, can make it difficult to wear shoes or walk without pain. Untreated bunions can also cause loss of movement in the big toe, arthritis, and toe joint bursitis. Bunions usually respond well to early, conservative treatment, which is why you should see a doctor if you have any bunion symptoms. Based on the severity of your bunion, your doctor can recommend the best treatment. Bunions are prone to the following risk factors:
- Bunions run in the family.
- Inadequate or ill-fitting footwear that squeezes the toes
- joint inflammation caused by conditions like psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Neuromuscular disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome.
- Foot mechanics issues, such as overpronation (when the foot rolls inward too much when striding).
- Avoiding wearing high heels.
- Correcting gait abnormalities caused by conditions such as flat feet or pronation.
- Wearing shoes with a wide toe box and properly fitted.
Why Choose Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists
Because bunion symptoms are similar to those of other foot conditions, take the advice of one of our expert orthopedists at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists for an accurate diagnosis of any foot problems. Prompt treatment improves your chances of a successful outcome.
There are many reasons why a parent might choose Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, with offices in Dallas, Arlington, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney for their child who has a bunion. Here are a few of the most important reasons:
- Expertise: The doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists are board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeons with extensive experience in treating bunions in children. They have a deep understanding of the causes and treatment options for bunions, and they are committed to providing the best possible care for their patients.
- Compassion: The doctors and staff at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists are compassionate and understanding. They know that bunions can be a painful and embarrassing condition for children, and they are committed to making the treatment process as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
- Technology: Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists has access to the latest technology in bunion treatment. This includes minimally invasive procedures that can often be performed on an outpatient basis, with less pain and recovery time than traditional surgery.
- Convenience: Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists has four convenient locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, so parents can find a location that is close to home. The clinic also offers evening and weekend hours, making it easy for parents to schedule appointments that fit their busy schedules.
Summary
If you are looking for a top-rated pediatric orthopedic surgeon in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to treat your child’s bunion, Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists is a great option. With their expertise, compassion, technology, and convenience, they can help your child get the care they need to get back to their normal activities.
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Footnote:
Call 214-556-0590 to make an appointment.
Comprehensive services for children from birth through adolescence at five convenient locations: Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco and McKinney.
