What is a bunion?
A bunion is a foot deformity that develops as the bones of your big toe are pushed out of position. Bunions develop over time from ongoing pressure that forces the top of your big toe to lean toward the second toe.
As the tip bends, it forces the joint at the base of the toe out of place, making it protrude and causing the most common sign of a bunion, a lump or bulging bone on the side of your foot.
The structure of the affected toe begins to change when a bunion goes untreated. The joint becomes inflamed and you may develop bursitis, which is inflammation of fluid-filled sacs in the joint at the base of your toe.
What symptoms develop when you have a bunion?
In addition to the visible bump on the side of your foot, you may experience:
- Pain as the bunion rubs against shoes
- Swelling and redness
- Burning or numbness
- Difficulty walking
- Restricted movement of the toe
- Callus on the bottom of your foot
What causes bunions?
Inherited foot problems often cause bunions. You don’t inherit the bunion; rather, you inherit a faulty foot structure that makes you more likely to develop a bunion. Flat feet increase your risk for bunions, as one example.
The shoes you wear contribute to the problem, making symptoms progress more quickly and appear earlier than they may have with shoes that fit properly.
Women have a risk for bunions that’s eight-times higher than men because of the shoes they wear. Your risk for a bunion increases if you wear:
- Shoes that are too short or narrow
- Shoes with a pointed toe
- High-heeled shoes
How are bunions treated?
After a complete examination, the doctors at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center develop individualized treatment that relieves your pain and stops the deformity from worsening. Bunion treatment often focuses on making sure your shoes are comfortable, by:
- Adding padding to eliminate pressure and relieve pain
- Using orthotic inserts to stabilize the joint
- Getting shoes with extra width
- Prescription shoes to accommodate the bunion
Other treatment options include wearing a splint at night to realign the toe and exercises to improve toe movement.
When conservative therapies don’t improve your symptoms, the doctors may recommend surgery to address the deformity, realign the toe, and correct changes in the bones or soft tissues.
When you develop a bunion, compassionate and high-quality care is available at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center — call or use online booking to schedule an appointment.
