Bunions can cause pain when your child wears shoes. Although bunions are most common among adult women, they also tend to occur among young teenagers, especially girls between the ages of 10 and 15, according to Children's Hospital Boston. Relieving pain and stopping further deformity of the joint connecting the foot to the toe is the goal of bunion treatment.
Identification
A bunion causes a painful bump at the point where the base of the big toe meets the rest of the foot. A bunion develops when bone or tissue at the joint moves out of place, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Wearing shoes can be difficult or painful if your child has a bunion.
Symptoms
In addition to the presence of a bump, you may notice that the skin over the toe joint is red or swollen. Your child may complain of foot pain when walking or if you manipulate the area around the bunion. It may be difficult for your child to move his big toe if he has a bunion. Pressure from the big toe may force the second toe out of alignment and the bunion may cause skin on the bottom of the foot to thicken and become painful, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Risk Factors
Wearing too small or too tight shoes can put pressure on the toes, causing a bunion to form. Because girls and women tend to wear narrow shoes with elevated heels, girls are more at risk of developing bunions. Bunions may also develop due to poor foot development, foot injuries, deformities present at birth or complications from flat feet. The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that parents who suffer from poor foot mechanics can pass their foot type on to their children, who in turn are prone to developing bunions.
Treatment
Doctors may offer several options to stop joint deformity and relieve pain if your child has a bunion. Wearing wider shoes will help take the pressure off the bunion. Taping the foot will help the foot remain in a normal position and reduce stress and pain, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. Medication may be prescribed to control pain. Your child may find some relief through physical therapy. Orthotics placed in your child's shoes can also reduce pain. Orthotics are shoe inserts that help position the foot correctly while your child is wearing shoes.
Considerations
While surgery can help relieve joint pain and stress if other treatments are unsuccessful, it is not usually recommended for children. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that if a child has bunion surgery before she is fully grown, there is a strong chance that the problem will return.
