Are Hyper Mobile Foot and Mid Foot The Cause of My Bunion?

Are Hyper Mobile Foot and Mid Foot The Cause of My Bunion?

When bumps start appearing on the side of one or both of your big toe joints, it means you’ve begun to develop bunions. Sometimes bunions stay small and don’t interfere with your life, but as they keep growing, they can cause pain, make mobility more difficult, and change the alignment of your feet for the worse.

Bunions have many different causes, and according to bunion specialist Thomas Rambacher, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA, from Podiatry Hotline Foot & Ankle Mission Viejo, California, one common cause is your genetics. If you've inherited hypermobility in your feet, that can sometimes lead to developing bunions.

Discover the connection between foot hypermobility and bunions, and how you can treat disruptive bunions.

What is hypermobility?

If you have hypermobility, it means some or all of the ligaments in your joints are unusually loose. This common tissue disorder can impact your feet, toes, ankles, and elsewhere on your body.

Hypermobility doesn’t always cause additional problems, but some people experience symptoms like pain, fatigue, motor clumsiness when walking or moving, and stiffness in the joints and muscles. Occasionally, hypermobility is a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, and Down syndrome.

The connection between foot hypermobility and bunions

Hypermobility is a genetic condition that can cause or contribute to developing bunions. This is because a loose foot or toe joint can cause your foot to be unstable in its movement. These movements, over time, can result in you developing bunions.

Alongside genetic hypermobility, some lifestyle factors can make your bunions worse. These include:

Hypermobility can also cause you to have incorrect foot mechanics, another risk factor for developing bunions.

Bunion treatment options

Living with bunions can be difficult, but thankfully, Dr. Rambacher helps you manage or remove your bunions with conservative solutions or surgery. If your bunions are still small and haven’t impacted your foot alignment, you can often manage them with conservative methods.

For conservative treatment, Dr. Rambacher recommends methods such as NSAIDs and other pain medication, corticosteroid injections, and custom orthotics. Custom orthotics also have the benefit of treating any other symptoms caused by your hypermobility by helping your foot alignment.

If your bunion is painful, causing foot alignment problems, or making mobility more difficult, Dr. Rambacher can remove it surgically. As a Fellow of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, he is current on the latest surgical techniques for bunion removal and offers customized surgical options that are minimally invasive, with shorter recovery time.

After removing your bunions, Dr. Rambacher helps manage the hypermobility in your feet or ankles to reduce your risk of developing bunions again. He also assists you with managing any mobility instability, pain, swelling, or discomfort you experience from foot hypermobility.

If you have bunions, suffer from hypermobility, or have other side effects from hypermobile feet, Dr. Rambacher offers treatment and management of your condition. Call us, or book online to schedule your consultation.

You Might Also Enjoy...

5 Conservative Treatments for Hammertoes

5 Conservative Treatments for Hammertoes

If your toes start bending strangely, you might be developing a common condition called hammertoes. Early treatment is important to maintain mobility and avoid surgery. Try these 5 conservative methods to treat your hammertoes.
Top 5 Exercises to Strengthen Your Feet and Ankles

Top 5 Exercises to Strengthen Your Feet and Ankles

Weak feet and ankles are one of the biggest barriers to an active lifestyle. Luckily, simple foot and ankle exercises can help. These are five of the best exercises you can do at home to strengthen your feet and ankles.
Recognizing Early Signs of Infection in Diabetic Feet

Recognizing Early Signs of Infection in Diabetic Feet

When you have diabetes, in addition to general medical monitoring, you need specialist podiatry care to prevent and treat foot infections. Here are some of the most common signs of infection in diabetic feet and what you can do if you notice them.

Signs You Need to See a Podiatrist

Your feet and ankles are among the most important parts of your body. When something goes wrong with them, you might need to see a podiatrist. Discover what a podiatrist does and when it’s time to visit one.
Tips to Keep Fungal Nails from Returning

Tips to Keep Fungal Nails from Returning

If your nail is starting to turn yellow, thicken, crumble, or otherwise look unwell, there’s a good chance you have an unwelcome fungal nail infection. Learn how to keep fungal nails from developing or recurring after treatment.