Baseball is America's pastime. Baseball has long been an enjoyable sport from T-ball all the way up to Major League Baseball. As with all sports, there are many health benefits to engaging in this activity. According to Lincoln Park Podiatry in Chicago, the sudden stops, running and sliding in baseball can lead to a host of foot problems including bunions. Bunions are often the result of wearing ill-fitting shoes.Some players have had to work hard to overcome bunions throughout their baseball careers. You should always consult your doctor if you feel your baseball playing may have led to a bunion.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion is a foot deformity -- the medical name is hallux valgus -- that occurs when the big toe, the hallux, begins to turn outward, which is what valgus refers to, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The first metatarsal is the bone that joins the big toe. This bone begins to become more noticeable on the inside of your foot. You may begin to notice a bump, which is the bunion. Bunions are composed of soft tissue and bone. As bunions continue to grow they can become painful. One baseball player who was particularly impacted by bunions was Rollie Zeider. Zeider was a member of the 1918 pennant-winning Chicago Cubs. He played a majority of his baseball career with foot problems. Zeider experienced so many foot problems throughout his playing career that he was famously nicknamed "Bunions."
Causes of Bunions
Ill-fitting shoes, including baseball shoes, are the leading cause of bunion development, according to the Foot and Ankle Institute of South Florida. Foot injuries, neuromuscular problems, being flat-footed and having pronated feet can also lead to bunion formation. Bunions also tend to run in families although they are not a hereditary condition. Estimates indicate that in Western countries, 33 percent of individuals will develop bunions. Baseball players are no exception. In 1945, the Chicago Cubs found themselves with another player nicknamed Bunions. Heinz Becker spent a majority of his career playing with foot problems. His career was short-lived. However, he did play in three games of that year's Word Series versus the Detroit Tigers.
Prevention
Replacing your baseball shoes after 75 hours of active wear is important, according to Lincoln Park Podiatry. Comfort is a very important factor when deciding on a baseball shoe. Your shoes should have enough room in the toe area so that you are able to stretch and wiggle your toes. The widest portion of your foot should be able to fit comfortably in your baseball shoes without having to stretch the shoe for it to fit. Your shoes should also have a well-fitting heel. This will help to keep your foot stable.
Treatment
Bunions can be treated conservatively, or with surgery if conservative treatment fails. Orthotic devices, exercise and nighttime splints can help properly align the toe joint, according to the Foot and Ankle Institute of South Florida. If nonsurgical treatment fails, surgery can be performed to correct the bunion.
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