When you notice the classic signs of a bunion, the bent big toe and a bump on the side of your foot, don’t wait to get treatment; this foot condition continues to worsen over time. Dr. Mario Voloshin, Dr. Meltem Ates, and Dr. Lester Dennis at Advanced Foot & Ankle Center have helped many patients find relief from bunion pain using non-surgical therapies, but when surgery is needed, they are experts in the field, with extensive experience performing foot surgery. To schedule an appointment, call one of the offices in Brooklyn, New York, or book an appointment online.
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.
In addition to the visible bump on the side of your foot, you may experience:
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:
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:
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.