Congratulations! It’s a B… bunion?
Bunions are a common foot problem in the U.S., affecting a quarter to a third of adults at some point in their life. Unfortunately, this incidence sky-rockets for new moms-to-be. Read on to learn what to expect (from your feet!) when you’re expecting.
How do you know if you’re suffering from bunions? Take a look at your feet – you might need help from a mirror at this point! If you spot a bump on the inside of your foot, where the innermost bone of your foot meets with the big toe, it might be a bunion. It might look like a bone growth or deformity, but it’s actually just a misalignment of the bone. The head of the first metatarsal is shifting outward to form the protrusion.
A Bun in the Oven, a Pregnancy Bunion in the Shoe
There are two big reasons why pregnancy can lead to bunions. One is rapid weight gain, and the other is (you guessed it) HORMONES. During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin allows bones in the pelvis to soften and spread for the baby. The catch is that relaxin affects the bones in your feet, too. BAM Pregnancy Bunion!
Rapid weight gain from pregnancy leads to pressure and overloading on the front of your foot, making your arches unstable. The arches gradually collapse, which shifts the metatarsal bone outward.
Some bunions are mildly uncomfortable, while others can spell certain misery. Bunions can be small or large, and can be accompanied by some other nasty symptoms, like deviation of the toes, arch loss, chronic foot pain, and even pain up along the calf. Add in the natural foot swelling from water retention, and you’ve got feet in need of some serious TLC.
Nursing your Little Bunion of Joy
You’ve heard of maternity pants. Now it’s time for maternity shoes. If you’re having a hard time fitting into your shoes because of a bunion, find a shoe with a wider toe box. Try to stay off your feet and keep them elevated. You can have a foot and ankle specialist fit you for a special orthotic to support your arch and prevent further collapse. It’ll make walking around a bit more comfy, too!
UFAI, Bunion Surgery Los Angeles
The surgeons at University Foot and Ankle Institute are internationally recognized for their advancements in the treatment of bunions. If you are suffering from bunions, we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our bunion experts. Please call (877) 989-9110 or visit us at www.footankleinstitute.com. We have 9 locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, including: Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Manhattan Beach, Valencia, West Hills, Santa Barbara, Torrance, Beverly Hills and at UCLA Medical Plaza in West Los Angeles.
When not tending to patients at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Jafary utilizes his surgical expertise assisting those less fortunate. As a member of the Yucatan Crippled Children Foundation, he has traveled to Mexico several times and performed hundreds of limb correction surgeries on children with disabling foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Jafary also participates in Podiatry Overseas, which takes him to underserved countries to treat patients with lower extremity deformities.
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