Blame Your Genes for Bunions and Not Your Shoes

Researchers show that genetic inheritance is the chief culprit behind the bone deformity called bunion.

Bunion or hallux valgus is a bone deformity characterized by the big toe pointing towards the adjacent toe of the same foot.

Scientists believe that the incidences of bunions are mostly linked to family inheritance and not ill-fitting shoes.

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The bunions can cause swelling, tenderness and pain around the big toe.

Recently U.S. researchers from the Framingham Foot Study assessed around 13,700 adult volunteers and discovered profound familial histories of bunions.

The scientists forwarded that there exists a strong genetic predisposition in the occurrence of bunions.

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The podiatrists from England maintained their opinion and added that ill-fitting shoes can worsen the situation.

The chief sign of the ailment is “the big toe pointing towards the other toes, which forces out the bone attached to it - the first metatarsal.”

Surgery is required if the condition becomes extremely painful and unbearable.

Since females are mostly affected by bunions, the role of ill-fitting shoes or high heeled shoes in the development of bunions became accountable for.

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However recent researches have shown that ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes could worsen the situation by constant rubbing or irritating the area, but they are not the causative factor for bunions.

One should wear proper fitting and comfortable shoes to maintain the health of the feet.

The study was conducted during 2002 to 2008 and the scientists analyzed the family history of people with bunions and hammer and claw toes.

Richard Handford, Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists said, "It is something a person will have a predisposition to - but poor footwear will exacerbate it"

The experts said that the genetic inheritance of a particular type and shape of foot can be an important reason for the occurrence of bunions.

Dr. Marian Hannan, the lead scientists mentioned, "These new findings highlight the importance of furthering our understanding of what causes greater susceptibility to these foot conditions, as knowing more about the pathway may ultimately lead to early prevention or early treatment."

Prof. Richard Handford, of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, stated, "This is what we tell our patients - as opposed to the myth that shoes cause bunions. It is something a person will have a predisposition to - but poor footwear will exacerbate it."

"It's a bony deformity, so it's not going to fit into a shoe if you ram it in."

He further added, "And once you have a bunion, accommodative footwear is it."

Source-Medindia