Can I Ski With Bunions?
Ski boots can cause bunions, hammertoe, bunionette, cyst, calluses, corns, and other damages to your feet. This may mostly happen when you choose the wrong pair of ski boots. But there are some associated reasons that cause pain in the feet.
Our main concern is bunions today. Can you ski with bunions? Well, that depends on a few things. Bunions are the deformation of your big toe bone that sometimes causes you pain and stiffness. Ski boots are tight-fighting boots that can grow bunions on your feet even if you don’t have them already. So, it may worsen the matter when you ski with bunions. So, what shall we consider? Let’s check out!
What Are Bunions?
Bunions are bony bumps developed on the joints of the big toe. When you have a bunion in one of your toes, your big toe is pulled inside towards the other toes. This dysfunction is also known as hallux valgus. There is another type of bunion that can form on the outer side of your foot just below the little toe. This is called bunionette. And it’s also known as the tailor’s bunion.
Some factors are responsible for the development of bunions. In most cases, bunions are treated without surgery, but in special cases, surgeries may be needed.
What Are the Main Symptoms of Bunions?
The symptoms of bunions show up over time. So, some common symptoms of bunions are as below-
- The first sign you’ll notice is a bump on the base of your big toe or hallux.
- Redness and swelling around the affected area.
- A burning sensation that comes and goes over time.
- Stiffness of the toe.
- Corns or calluses may form. These hardened skin generally form when two toes rub together.
What Are The Major Causes of Bunions?
There might be several reasons for bunions. Here we’re giving some major points that may responsible for your hallux valgus disease-
- Genetics: It can be a genetic dysfunction. If anyone from your parents has it, you’ll probably inherit it from them. In a 2007 study, it’s found that about 83% of the people had bunions who had a family history of it. Some people get a shape in their feet that increases their chance of getting bunions. If you don’t already have it, look at your feet. They may have something to say about it.
- Narrow Shoes: High heels that have narrow fronts or other tight-fitting shoes, for example- cowboy boots, might be responsible for the bump on the side of your big toe. This type of shoe has a really narrow toebox and a sloping footbed. So, there is barely any space for your feet to breathe. Moreover, sloping forces the toes towards the narrow toebox creating pressure on the base of the toebones.
However, developing a bunion on your toe while wearing a pair of tight shoes depends on a few other things- duration of wearing, skeletal deformity, how constraining the footwear is, etc.
- Injuries and Dieseases: Foot injury can cause you bunions. Patients of rheumatoid arthritis and neuromuscular conditions (cerebral palsy, polio) may also have the risk of developing bunions on their feet.
- Deformities at Birth: A person can develop a bunion if he has a deformity in the big toe bones from birth.
- Flat or Low Arches Feet: These feet types are more prone to have bunions than high arch feet. Flat feeter have a bigger risk though. Due to pronation, they have more tendency to develop a bump on the toe base. Having arch support in the shoes and walking in a proper alignment can reduce the risk.
Are Bunions Developed for Ski Boots?
YES! Bunions can be developed from ski boots. As bunions can be developed by wearing tight-fitted shoes, if you’re an advanced or pro skier and chose to take a narrower pair of ski boots which the professionals usually do, then you have risks to grow bumps on your big toe. They may come from aggressive irritation on the bone and the narrow boot head gives pressure on the toes. Especially if you wear them for a long period of time on a continuous basis. Either you can change your boots with a bigger toebox or you can punch out your boots.
Can I Ski Safely With Bunions?
If you are suffering from bunions and looking for suggestions on whether you can ski with them or not, then you’re at the right place. Ski boots are narrow-fitting boots. They create pressure on your toe bones. On top of that, skiing downhill also puts pressure on your toes as the feet slope down. So, it is a bit of a considerable matter on the condition of bunions on your feet.
Do the bunions on your feet hurt? If they do, then it is better not to ski and visit your doctor first. Continuing to ski with the bunions is not safe as the injury may deepen. And you may end up with stiff and swollen feet. But if you feel ok with the bunions and don’t hurt you, you are good to go! But visit a boot fitter first and get your ski boots some punch and fitted to your feet.
What Can You Do?
You can take the following steps-
- Do some stretching on a regular basis.
- Wear comfortable, boxy ski shoes for bunions.
- Wear socks to reduce damage.
- Consult your doctor.
Conclusion
Pain from bunions can be severe. But you can prevent it by taking certain measures and changing some lifestyle habits. Avoid wearing shoes that slope your feet down with a tight toe box, fix your walking posture, give your feet some arch support if you’re flat feet, and it’s better to consult the physician if you want to ski with bunions. If it seems not to be a healthier choice to ski with bunions, then don’t go for it. Do not let the situation be out of your hands. That can lead you to more severity.
