What is a Bunion?
A bunion is an often-painful condition at the joint of the big toe. The bones at the top of the toe begin to shift out of place, toward the other toes, pushing the joint outwards.
What Causes Bunions?
This shifting of bone, ligaments and other tissues can often be linked to a hereditary cause but it is also exacerbated by consistently wearing shoes that are too tight or have a high heel. The added pressure on the toe forces it inward. Arthritis is another common cause of bunions.
Symptoms of Bunions
Over time, the joint can become reddened and painful and the toe may develop corns or calluses from rubbing against the second toe. You may experience difficulty walking if the joint becomes severely affected. Bursitis and other foot conditions can develop if bunions are left untreated.
Preventing Bunions
The best prevention of bunions is wearing supportive, comfortable shoes. Choose shoes with a small heel and plenty of room around your toes. If you have a family history of bunions you may begin to develop one without other precipitating factors. Wearing good shoes can keep your bunion from getting worse and becoming more painful.
Will Bunions Go Away on Their Own?
Bunions do not go away on their own. However, there are several options for supportive care and professional treatments to remove them.
At-Home Treatments
Wear shoes that support and cushion your feet well. Shop for shoes in the evening when your feet are larger. Purchase bunion cushions or pads to obtain short-term pain relief.
Soaking your feet in warm water, taking over-the-counter pain medication, icing your feet, and keeping them moisturized can all help alleviate some of the discomfort caused by bunions.
Doctors sometimes recommend foot splints or custom orthotics to help the bones maintain a neutral position. These are not permanent solutions, and do not fix an already present problem; however, they may provide support and help with pain management in less severe cases.
Cortisone steroid injections can help to reduce inflammation and pain in acute cases, but usually patients require repeated doses to maintain pain control.
Surgical Treatments
To remove a bunion, you will need to see a doctor. Our team at Best Foot Doctor NY is experienced in several bunion removal treatments including
- Mini incision bunion surgery
- 3D bunion surgery
- Mini-invasive treatment/surgery for Taylor’s bunions
Surgeries range from simple to more complex depending on the severity of the joint deformity. In simple cases, the excess bone is shaved off and the ligaments are adjusted to hold the bone in place. More involved surgeries require screws or pins to hold the bones in place or even replace the joint entirely. These surgeries fix the problem at the source (the joint) and patients who undergo these surgeries experience a lower bunion recurrence rate.
If you or a loved one are experiencing pain related to bunions, contact our experienced team at Best Foot Doctor NY today and let us help you get the relief you need.