Bunions are a common foot deformity in which the base of your big toe is pushed outwards, causing your big toe to lean in to your second toe. This misalignment causes the bump referred to as a bunion. As bunions progress, they may decrease the function of your big toe, causing significant pain. While bunions may cause enough pain to decrease your participation in exercise, exercise cannot aggravate or cause quicker progression of a bunion.
Causes
There are a variety of causes of bunions. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, bunions are most commonly caused by heredity or faulty mechanical structure of your foot. Bunions can also be caused by wearing shoes that crowd the toes.
Symptoms
Bunions cause pain or soreness at the site of your big toe. Inflammation, redness, numbness or a burning sensation may also occur. One of the biggest indicators of a bunion is the visual deformity.
Treatment
The pain of bunions can be treated with conservative measures including wearing appropriate footwear, taking anti-inflammatory medications, icing your bunion, placing padding over the bunion for comfort, using orthotic devices, or injection therapy to treat inflammation. It is important to remember that these methods will not reduce or eliminate the bunion. Surgery can be used to remove the bump and reconstruct the alignment of your big toe.
Exercise
Another conservative means of treating bunions is modifying your activity level. Avoid standing or walking for extended periods of time. Also avoid exercises that cause pain in your foot. It is important to remember that exercise cannot eliminate bunions nor can exercise increase the progression of your bunion. Pain may be felt during exercise at the site of your bunion due to the lack of movement available in your big toe. If severe pain occurs during exercise, discontinue exercise. To stay active with a bunion, consider non-weight-bearing activities including cycling, swimming and using an ellitpical machine.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be used to maintain the range of motion and flexibility in your big toe following the diagnosis of a bunion. Physical therapy may also be recommended following bunion surgery to increase strength in your foot as well as encourage movement in your large toe. If you have had surgery, never exercise until you have the approval of your physician.
