Bunions Specialist

What are bunions?

Bunions are bony, often painful, bumps that develop at the base of your big toe and stick out further than they are supposed to. Smaller bunions, called bunionettes, may form at the joint in your little toe.

Bunions can form slowly over time, put pressure on your big toe joint, and develop into a bone deformity that’s painful when you wear shoes or walk. Bunions are more common in women than in men. Wearing narrow, tight shoes increases the risk of developing bunions or makes them more pronounced and painful.

What are the symptoms of bunions?

You might have a bunion if you experience the following signs or symptoms:

• Calluses or corns between your first and second toe
• Pain near your big toe joint
• Big toe pain that is intermittent or ongoing
• A bulging bump near your big toe joint
• Restricted movement in your big toe
• Red, thick skin surrounding your toe joint
• Soreness, redness, or swelling near the base of your big toe

If bunion pain restricts movement in your toe or prevents you from being active, the specialists at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center evaluate your toe and establish an appropriate treatment.

What are the risk factors of bunions?

The exact cause of bunions is unknown, but they likely result from foot injuries, birth deformities, or genetics. Factors that may increase your risk of developing bunions include:

• Regularly wearing narrow, tight shoes 
• Having rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition
• Wearing high heels
• Inherited structural foot defects
• Repeated stress on your feet

Anybody can develop bunions. That’s why the experienced podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center offer numerous personalized treatments to ease discomfort.

How are bunions diagnosed and treated?

Your doctor reviews your medical history and symptoms, and examines your toe. They might take X-rays to confirm a bunion diagnosis, rate its severity, or identify its cause. Bunion treatment options include nonsurgical treatments and surgery.

Your podiatrist may recommend nonsurgical treatments for bunion symptom relief. Examples include:

• Wearing comfortable shoes
• Using splints, tape, or padding to alleviate pain
• Wearing shoe inserts
• Using ice treatment
• Taking oral medications
• Receiving cortisone injections

If nonsurgical options don’t work or your bunion is severe and interferes with everyday activities, your podiatrist might suggest surgery to correct bunion deformities. Full recovery after bunion surgery takes a few weeks or months, but you will walk correctly after the procedure.

For pain relief from bunions, schedule an appointment with the podiatry experts at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center by phone or online today.