Bunion Specialist

Why do I have bunions?

Bunions develop over the outer base joint of your big toe as your big toe gets pushed into your smaller toes. It’s often believed that bunions develop more commonly in women than in men because of footwear.

When you wear high heels or pointy shoes, your toes are forced into unnatural positions. After wearing these ill-filling types of shoes for hours every day for years, over time, your big toe joint permanently gets pushed out of proper alignment. But some bunion sufferers are just more prone to developing bunions than others due to:

• Inherited foot shape
• A family history of bunions
• Prior foot injuries

You’re also more likely to develop bunions as you get older, especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis. It’s even possible to have bunions on your baby toes, which are called bunionettes. Causes, symptoms, and treatments are similar for bunionettes.

Are bunions painful?

They certainly can be, although not everyone experiences joint pain with bunions. One of the most common issues is the development of corns or calluses since your feet are going to rub the insides of your shoes in abnormal places. Corns and calluses can be irritating and painful with each step you take.

In some cases, bunions can cause so much joint inflammation and swelling, you wind up with restricted movement in the area. This can lead to persistent, chronic pain.

How are bunions treated?

With advanced high-definition X-ray imaging available right in the office at Town Center Foot & Ankle, your dedicated podiatrist can see in detail exactly how severe your bunion may be. This helps them tailor your treatment plan and determine if you might need bunion surgery. Conservative bunion therapies include:

• Padding or taping
• Custom-designed orthotics
• Cortisone injections
• In-office physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications

If these regimens aren’t providing relief, or if your bunion discomfort is worsening, it might be time to consider a surgical correction. Bunion surgery involves realigning your toe joint bones and removing any damaged or inflamed tissue. The foot surgeons at Town Center Foot & Ankle use minimally invasive techniques for bunion surgery, resulting in minimal recovery time.

To get relief for your bunion pain, start treatment at Town Center Foot & Ankle right away. Request your appointment by calling either office to speak with a team member or by using the online scheduling feature.