As the temperatures drop during the winter season, we tend to see an uptick in patients who reach out to talk to Dr. McDonald about discomfort they are experiencing at the base of their big toe joint. Oftentimes what they are dealing with is the formative or more advanced stages of bunion development. But is there a correlation between colder temperatures and bunion onset, and perhaps more importantly, what can patients do to treat and prevent bunion development during the winter months? We answer these questions and more in today’s blog.

Bunion Development In The Winter

The reason many patients begin to notice or develop bunion symptoms when the weather gets colder actually has nothing to do with the temperature itself. Colder temperatures don’t increase the likelihood that your big toe joint will begin shifting out of place, but the winter season does play a role in why there tends to be an uptick in bunion patients this time of year.

The main reason why bunions tend to be more prevalent during the fall or winter season is because of how we respond to these cooler temperatures. During the warm summer months, we’re more likely to wear sandals, open-toed footwear or a more breathable shoe that puts less pressure on our toe box and big toe joint. As the seasons change, we tend to transition to shoes that offer more protection from the elements, or we don some more fashionable footwear. Those fall heels or winter boots may not fit as well as they did last season, and if they are too tight, they can end up pressuring your big toe joint and forcing it out of a natural position.

If we keep in mind that seasonal footwear transitions can be hard on our feet and may increase our risk of developing a bunion, we can make a few simple adjustments that help to mitigate our risk of causing problems for our big toe joints. Some of the ways you can work to limit your chances of developing a bunion or worsening joint dysfunction include:

• Being mindful to wear seasonal footwear with a wider toe box.
• Limiting time in shoes with an elevated heel or a pointed toe box.
• Choose shoes with a more flexible sole.
• Consider generic or custom orthotic inserts to ensure appropriate stress distribution.
• Go barefoot/socks/loafers around the house instead of wearing shoes indoors.
• Continue exercising during the winter to keep the supporting structures around your big toe joints strong.
• Maintain a healthy diet throughout the holidays, as weight gain can exacerbate bunion symptoms.

And finally, if you begin to notice discomfort in and around your big toe joint, don’t just ignore it and assume it will go away on its own. A bunion will never return to its original location without medical intervention, but you can slow or even stop its progression by proactively treating the condition and switching to a roomier shoe. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it tends to get, and if you wait too long, surgery may be your only viable recourse.

Instead of putting off treatment, consider connecting with Dr. McDonald and his team. Addressed early enough, we’re confident that a few simple lifestyle adjustments can quell your discomfort and prevent bunion progression. For more information about bunion onset or management, or for assistance with a different foot and ankle issue, reach out to Dr. McDonald and his team today at (860) 244-8889.