Parents typically have a hard time keeping up with kids’ lingo, but it’s not hard to figure out that a bunion developing on your child’s foot is a total bummer! If you thought this painful condition could only happen to adults, OMG, you’re mistaken. Unfortunately, kids can get bunions too, and when they do, it’s much more serious than the grown-up variety. That’s because the earlier the abnormal bump starts to form, the more time it has to progress and worsen.
Is your child at risk? One way to find out is to take a look at your own feet and check out other family members’ feet, too. Anyone sporting a bony bump on their big toe joint? If so, your child may have inherited a foot structure that makes him or her prone to the problem. If you’re having trouble staying on top of shoes to fit your child’s growing feet, that can add to the probability as well. Footwear that’s too tight can squish toes together and force the big toe joint out of alignment. The protruding bone will then be aggravated by the shoe rubbing and pressing against it. Making sure your child’s shoes fit properly is a must if you want to avoid juvenile bunions! Other things you can do to nip the problem bump in the bud is invest in orthotics to help with support, weight distribution, and faulty biomechanics that can encourage bunions to develop. You can also try stretching exercises and night splints that hold the big toe in proper position.
If, while your child is chillaxing, you notice a bump on his or her big toe joint, it’s best to have Dr. O assess the situation to rule out other underlying conditions that may be causing the issue, and then determine the best course of action.
You can make an appointment online or by calling (303) 805-5156. We would be totally stoked to help you, which would be sick -- but in a good way.