My son showed me his feet a couple of days ago. Both of his big toes go underneath his second toes. He's not having any pain just yet. His one foot looks like there's a bunion just starting. What causes this? Is it a precuser to bunions?
Barb

My son showed me his feet a couple of days ago. Both of his big toes go underneath his second toes. He's not having any pain just yet. His one foot looks like there's a bunion just starting. What causes this? Is it a precuser to bunions?
Barb
This sounds to me like it is deffinately bunions. I have the same thing going on.How old is your son? I would make an appointment for him.Good luck,

Sue

Thanks for replying so quickly!
He's 15. I didn't think people that young could get bunions but I guess anything's possible.
Barb

Barb,

No, that's not a precurser to bunions. Those ARE bunions--and pretty severe ones, it sounds like. A big toe will only overlap or underlap other toes when the bunion has worsened to the severe stage. I'm astonished that he has no pain. Mine were severe but had not yet overlapped or underlapped, yet I was in terrible pain when I walked for even an hour or kept shoes on for any length of time at all. (Actually, my left one still hurts since I've only had my right one done so far.)

I'd bring him to the best orthopedic surgeon (who specializes in foot and ankle problems) you can find. That's not to say he needs immediate surgery--only the specialist and your son will be able to determine that--but I'd say he needs to get a consult as soon as you can arrange it. Believe me, when they start to hurt, they HURT. And even more important, once the toes have reached the stage of over/underlapping, the surgery becomes much more extensive and the recovery time longer and more difficult. The longer you wait before you get him treated, the tougher this will be for him. Only wish I'd known that years ago. (sigh)

twobadfeet

Thank you so much for your reply. He has an appt next week with a pediatric NP for something else. I don't have a job or insurance so we have to go to the county clinic.
I'll ask her about it and see what she thinks. I don't see a lump on the joint or anything. My mom had severe bunions and they looked AWFUL.
I do believe that he'll have to have the surgery eventually given the fact that he's so young and it's happening to him already.
Barb

I'm glad to hear you're getting him seen. Yep, feet with bunions can be pretty nasty looking when the bunions get severe. My right one (the more severe) wouldn't have won any beauty contests either. It sounds like they might run in your family. It also sounds like surgery might be in his future; but the good news it that something CAN be done. I'd emphasize that with him, as well as the fact that many, many people are happy with the results and glad they (pardon the pun) took that step. Best of luck to you both.

twobadfeet

Take it from someone who should have had his feet looked at years ago, get him in to see a foot Dr. soon. I waited so long to get my foot looked at the joint is almost totally shot, it may be that it is so bad I may have to have the big toe fused, time will tell on that one. There is a fine line between macho and stupid and I probably crossed that line:)

Thanks for your responses! I will talk to his NP about it. I agree. After seeing all the pain and suffering my mom went through (she also had rheumatoid arthritis), to wait would be foolish.
Barb

I had a nice long chat with my foot doc weeks ago regarding gait.
As he was making me custom orthotics he explained every little detail of what happens when we walk and how, if things are not aligned, can cause all kinds of problems.
After being shown what the normal gait should be and what mine looked like I was amazed. Said so many things are caused by misalignment. Maybe custom orthotics are a possibility for your son - glad you are having him checked--- before problems really escalate

I bought some over the counter orthotics (the sport kind) for him a few months ago after he began complaining of his feet hurting when he wore his dress shoes for JROTC. He said the pain is gone since he started wearing those. Poor kid is cursed with the dreaded flat feet like me. It's hard for us now since we have no insurance and our savings is gone. Thank goodness for all the wonderful people at the county clinic.
Barb