Vancouver, BC (March 26, 2007) -- The B.C. Association of Podiatrists recommends looking at your parents' feet to see if you're at risk for developing bunions, a painful, debilitating abnormality in the bones of the big toe.

"There's definitely a hereditary component with bunions," says Vancouver podiatrist Dr. Gregory Laakmann. "But just because your parents had them, doesn't mean you'll get them too. The key to prevention is an early diagnosis."

Bunions can have a profound effect on a person's health and mobility. If left untreated, a bunion can lead to a serious arthritic condition of the joint or even dislocation of the big toe. It can be a very painful, ugly condition that prevents people from even being able to walk comfortably. In advanced cases, surgery may be required.

Bunions themselves are not inherited, but the foot type that is susceptible to bunions can be passed down for generations. The foot type includes a tendency towards joint weakness, a low arch and pronation (the foot rolls inward so the inner edge of the soles bear most of the weight). Bunions can often be prevented if the inherited tendency is identified and treated early by a podiatrist.

There are also non-hereditary factors that increase your chances of developing bunions: poor posture; wearing ill-fitting or narrow shoes; having arthritis; sustaining a foot injury; having one leg longer than the other; having a neuromuscular disorder, such as cerebral palsy; and standing or walking a lot at work. Women are more likely to develop bunions because the ligaments holding the bones of their feet in place are weaker, and because they often wear high heels that put pressure on the front of their feet.

"The best time to treat a bunion is before the first symptom appears," explains Dr. Laakmann. "If anyone in your immediate family has bunions, see a podiatrist even if you don't have any foot problems right now. We can examine your feet, and assess whether you're likely to develop them down the road."

Preventive treatment may include wearing the right kind of regular or orthopedic shoes and/or orthotic devices. Other forms of treatment may include padding and taping to minimize pain and keep the foot in a normal, healthy position; anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections; and physical and/or ultrasound therapy. New surgical procedures are offering people excellent outcomes in terms of pain relief and improved quality of life. A survey by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons found that 92 per cent of patients surveyed after surgery report significantly decreased pain levels and an increase in activities such as walking, golf, tennis and exercise.

Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating foot pain and foot disorders both medically and surgically. Patients do not need a referral from their family doctor to see a podiatrist. For the location of a podiatrist near you, call 1-866-611-FEET (3338) or visit www.foothealth.ca.