Bunions are a bone deformity that occurs at the base of the big toe on the side of the foot. Bunions can cause pain from being rubbed on the side of your shoes, but you may not know about the long-term effects that bunions can have on your feet when left untreated. Your podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler, AZ, can explain how bunions can affect you and why you should seek treatment.

How Untreated Bunions Can Affect Your Body

Bunions can form when you wear ill-fitted shoes or there’s a problem with your arches. Pressure isn’t distributed properly along your foot and can cause bunions to form and cause irritation. There are ways to treat bunions at home. You can wear pads on the sides of your feet to help with any friction that may happen. However, when bunions continue to cause you pain, your podiatrist in Chandler, AZ, may recommend surgery for more serious cases.

If your bunions are left untreated, they can cause further complications and issues in your body. An untreated bunion can cause arthritis, especially if the big toe joint has endured long-term damage. Once arthritis sets in, it’s not curable and you may deal with the pain forever.

You can also suffer from crossover toe if you don’t get bunion surgery and it’s needed. This is when the second toe starts to sit on top of your big toe. Having a bunion go untreated raises your risk of dealing with crossover toe and it can make it difficult to feel comfortable wearing shoes.

Contact Your Podiatrist Today!

If your bunion is causing you pain, don’t let it go untreated! Contact your podiatrists at Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler, AZ, to learn how you can treat your bunions and the long-term effects of an untreated bunion. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment today at (480) 732-0033.