Bunion to Children

As the bunion gets popular, the scope of its victims gets wider. You often think that only middle-age and old people can acquire bunion, however that belief is wrong; children can also be inflicted.

Surgeries are proposed, not to give people the experience to wear more stylish shoes, but to treat the pain and swelling, allow them to live a normal life by walking long distances, enjoying daily exercises, playing sports and being active once again.

Podiatrists are more careful in handling surgeries on kids since the feet of the children are still in the growing period. Their bones are still “soft” which is crucial for surgical treatment. This is the reason why podiatrists advise all possible non-surgical methods before they come up into the most difficult treatment.

[Image Credits: triadfoot.com]

Understanding Bunion to Children

Pediatric or Adolescent Bunion

The case of bunion to children is distinctly different from the adults. On their part, the bunion only indicates a boney prominence at the base of the big toe without any underlying cause. To adults, the disability arises from a structural malalignment of the big toe joint, however in children, their toe bones happened to point too much, and/or the cartilage of the big toe joint is shifted causing the big toe to lean over towards the lesser toes. This formation is commonly called the juvenile bunion.

Cause of Bunion to Children

Not all cases are caused by wearing too fit shoes and high heels. Children develop a bunion from their genetically programmed bones. This foot disability can be acquired through genetic means. The medical experts say that children with flat feet have a huge tendency for foot problems.

Non-surgical Treatment for Children

Bunion treatment for children is divided into two categories namely: symptoms management, and structural problem treatment.

Symptoms can be treated by padding the area of the bunion, aggravating it with a shoe gear, and change of daily activities. The structural component can be treated by using toe spacers, toe splints, supportive shoe gear, and orthotics. Orthotics is helpful in preventing the symptoms plus, it aligns back the deformed toes. Bunion splints can be a very effective treatment tool especially for children, since they have malleable bones.

Bunion Surgery for Children

After non-surgical treatments failed to address the pain and swelling, including the prevention of rapid growth of a bunion, the podiatrists will require surgical method. With it, the malaligned bone is moved into its proper position. The surgeons are very careful in avoiding the most sensitive plate to children called epiphyseal plate (aka the growth plate).

The surgery involves the breaking of the bone in one of two areas, depending on the severity of the case. Mild bunions are treated close to the big toe joint. This doesn't take much worry on the epiphyseal plate. However, for large bunions, they are treated with a special bone cut at the bottom of the bone, near the growth plate. The most advised ages for children to undergo bunion are the following:

• girls 13-15 years old 
• boys 15-17 years old

Since cases in children are more difficult to avoid, it is best to consult the medics as you found symptoms occurring on your children.