Bunions

Causes

Reduce your risk.

Individuals that wear ill-fitting shoes, particularly tight-fitting and high-heeled shoes, are more susceptible to developing bunions. Some inherited factors may predispose certain people to the formation of bunions, as well, including congenital abnormalities in bone formation, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve conditions and injury.

Symptoms

Pinpoint your pain.

Though a visible bump on the side of the big toe is the most apparent symptom, there are several other indications that signal a bunion’s presence. These symptoms include:

• Intermittent or chronic pain at the base of the big toe
• Redness and inflammation
• Hardened skin on the bottom of the foot
• Possible numbness
• A callus or corn on the bunion bump
• A burning sensation
• Stiffness and restricted motion in the big toe, leading to walking difficulties

Diagnosis

Get the answers you need.

In order to diagnose you properly, your doctor will consider your symptoms, examine your feet, and take X-rays to get a clearer view of the alignment of your toes and the condition of the joints in your feet.

Treatment

Life’s too short to put up with pain.

Often, bunions are treated through nonsurgical treatment methods, which focus on reducing the pain and halting the bunion’s progression. Depending on your particular injury and symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following:

• Proper Footwear. Make sure the shoes that you wear have a roomy toe box and a low heel so that the toes are not crowded.
• Manage the Pain. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend the use of anti-inflammatory medications that will help to reduce inflammation, as well as the pain associated with your bunion. Sometimes a corticosteroid injection at the base of the big toe helps to further reduce inflammation.
• Get the Right Support. Custom-molded orthotic devices provide support, and may have the added benefit of helping to reposition the misaligned joint.

For a more permanent solution that’s intended to eradicate the presence of the condition and restore your mobility, our physicians will perform bunion surgery to remove the unwanted bony growth and re-align the big toe. Your surgeon will customize the procedure based on your needs and anatomy.