If you suffer from bunions and your gait isn’t the same as it once was, you’ve likely wondered whether the two have a connection. Although your big toe seems like an insignificant factor when it comes to body movement, it actually plays a huge role in your stability and gait. And as bunions compromise the big toe, they can make walking and balancing tough tasks.
So, to give you some insight into how bunions can have a negative impact on more than just shoe shopping, let’s take a look at how they can affect your gait and limit movement.
What is “Gait”?
Walking is a motion that—although comes completely natural to most grown adults—is a complicated movement that involves more than one area of the body. The way a person walks, including their step time and foot movements, is their gait. A gait is usually considered “abnormal” when it is affected by other injuries or conditions, for example, (you guessed it) bunions.
How Do Bunions Affect the Way Someone Walks?
Small yet mighty, the big toe joint can have a big impact on your weight distribution. As you rely on your big toes to keep you balanced while standing, they manage a lot of pressure—delegating weight to other areas of the foot and taking plenty of it themselves.
So, as bunions continue to grow and worsen over time, they make it extra hard for the big toe joint to maintain its responsibilities. Pain accompanies bunions, which, in turn, makes the sufferer readjust their gait to manage discomfort. So, after all, changes in walking manner are often an issue due to the pain that bunions cause.
Manage Your Gait and Mobility with Bunion Bootie
Poor gait can lead to various problems, including self-esteem issues and risk for falls, especially in older people. That said, it’s best to take control of your bunions before they become too severe and begin to affect your mobility. Fortunately, with Bunion Bootie, a simple and affordable treatment option is possible. Safe and effective, our booties offer plenty of support while providing pain-free bunion management that can help lead to positive effects on your gait. Unlike bulky foot sleeves or rigid bunion braces, the Bunion Bootie can help you maintain 100% foot-to-ground contact all the time. Creating an environment where your big toe is making contact with the ground in a manner it was intended to also contributes to improved stability and balance.
Take back your life and walk without pain with the Bunion Bootie!