As anybody with bunions will know, the condition can be pretty painful. Your toe is often swollen, red, and tender to the touch. This can make it difficult to wear comfortable footwear, perform daily tasks such as shopping or exercising, and even disrupt your sleep schedule. But when left untreated, can bunions cause leg pain as well? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why Do Bunions Hurt in the First Place?

You may be asking yourself, “can bunions cause leg pain, too?” It’s a fair question to ask, but why are bunions so painful to begin with? Bunions are essentially a misalignment of the joints in the toes. These misalignments can create a boney bump on the side of the foot that can be very painful. Aside from the pain of the lump, the misalignment itself can leave the toe stiff, as well as make it much more difficult to walk, run, stand, or even sit comfortably. This puts pressure on the joints and muscles over time, making the entire process uncomfortable.

Can Bunions Cause Leg Pain? Unfortunately . . .

So, can bunions cause leg pain in addition to foot pain? Unfortunately, bunions can indeed cause leg pain in some people. This is mostly due to the fact that your walking and standing patterns will begin to change in an effort to transfer the pressure off your bunion, but in doing so the pressure can build up in your calf muscles and thighs. This can create aches and pains in the leg, and in some cases, cramps can occur. If you’re experiencing leg pain, there’s no reason to worry. There are several things you can do to stop the pain from getting worse.

How to Stop the Pain

Can bunions cause leg pain? Yes, but regardless of whether the pain has spread to your legs or has remained in your foot, pain is pain. It never feels good. Luckily, you’ve got a few options to manage the pain. If you’re walking around without insoles designed specifically to cushion your step or don’t have your own bunion guard, getting these tools can drastically reduce the pressure and minimize those stabbing pains that shoot up your leg as well. Other methods include sleeping with your foot elevated, taking certain medications, and performing daily toe and foot stretches. 

However, if you’re looking for a way to get rid of the pain completely, the only way to do so is through surgery. At Northwest Surgery Center, we perform minimally invasive bunion surgery to get our patients back to their lives with as few complications as possible. 

Deal With Your Bunions Once and for All

Nobody enjoys dealing with bunions; they’re painful, annoying, and can affect other aspects of your life in negative ways. But just because you currently have bunions doesn’t mean you’re forced to live with them forever. It’s time to deal with your bunions once and for all by getting minimally invasive surgery.

By connecting with the medical professionals at Northwest Surgery Center, you can begin moving towards living the life you had before bunions. Ready to take the first step? Contact us today or call 414-246-9416 to learn more.