Bunion Specialist

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a swollen, sensitive bump that occurs on the outer edge of your foot at the base of your big toe. They form when the joint at the bottom of your big toe falls out of alignment. Over time, the joint changes position and bulges outward, causing pain and mobility issues.

Anyone can get a bunion, but they’re especially common in women. It’s thought that wearing certain types of shoes, like those that crowd the toes, makes the condition worse. 

What are the symptoms of a bunion?

Symptoms of a bunion include:

• Difficulty bending your big toe
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Pain when wearing certain types of shoes

As the bunion grows, you might also experience numbness in your big toe.  

Who is at risk of a bunion?

Bunions affect people of all ages and genders, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Wearing shoes that press your toes together
• Having an inherited foot abnormality, like flatfeet
• Having an inflammatory disease, like rheumatoid arthritis
• Wearing shoes that are tight or narrow

Though there’s no way to prevent bunions entirely, you can significantly reduce your risk by wearing comfortable, supportive shoes that allow you to wiggle your toes. 

How is a bunion diagnosed?

To diagnose a bunion, your Gentle Foot and Ankle Care provider asks about your symptoms and reviews your medical history. Afterward, they have you remove your shoes and socks and physically examine your feet and toes. 

Most bunions are visible to the eye, but your provider might also order X-rays to determine the severity of the misalignment at the base of your big toe.

How is a bunion treated?

At Gentle Foot and Ankle Care, the team treats bunions using conservative, noninvasive treatments whenever possible. For example, you might benefit from changing shoes, wearing shoe pads or heel inserts, or icing your feet regularly.

If your symptoms persist or get worse, the team might recommend surgical intervention. There are several types of bunion surgery, but all are minimally invasive. Depending on your needs, your surgeon might:

• Straighten your big toe by removing a portion of bone
• Remove damaged tissue from around your toe joint
• Fuse the bones in your toe together
• Realign the bones at the front of your foot

The goal of surgery is to relieve pain, encourage mobility, and improve your quality of life. 

To learn more about the various treatment options for a bunion, make an appointment at Gentle Foot and Ankle Care by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.