What are the symptoms of a bunion?
A bunion is a very common foot deformity and patients oftentimes have difficulty wearing shoes because of it. For men, and more so for women, the complaint will be that their shoes are too tight. For some, it may limit how far they can run, and for others hiking or simply walking is not fun anymore. The foot is always on the mind and finding the right bunion treatment for you is our goal.
What is a bunion?
The big toe will be deviated towards the second toe and a protruding enlargement will then be present at the great toe joint. The same thing may occur at the small toe joint and is called a bunionette, or tailors bunion.
Both can be very painful and can get progressively worse. The big toe joint is very important for the function of the foot and is sort of the workhorse in the forefoot area. It allows us to propel off our foot normally and if there’s pain in the area, it can be very debilitating.This can cause an enlargement by the knuckle of the big toe joint on the inside and can also cause callus formation in this area.
In severe cases, or in patients that are diabetic, a sore could occur and lead to infection. Oftentimes people get redness in this area that is quite painful. They may have difficulty even wearing normal shoes, let alone wearing very dressy ones.
You may try wearing wider shoes, a bunion corrector and padding the area, but eventually even these attempts will fail. Both bunions and bunionettes are commonly treated with surgery. There are some non-surgical treatments that can be offered but, in many cases, surgery is the most recommended treatment option.
Bunion Treatment
By opting for surgical treatment, we can realign the malformation of the joint, getting rid of the bump and also allowing the toe to line up more properly. This helps correct the joint so that there’s more proper motion and less prominence to rub against shoes. Other than bunion surgery, treatment can include orthotic devices, which may be used for very mild and early stage bunions.
Patients oftentimes can get back to their enclosed shoes and even some selective dress shoes. They can also resume more normal activities after surgery. The success rate is quite high and recovery time could require two to three months before full activity is resumed but, in most cases, patients are able to ambulate on the foot within a week.
The vast majority of patients find the results rewarding with the elimination of pain and a better functioning foot. We suggest if you have questions to have a consultation with us to assess what you should consider. It is important to know that as the deformity progresses, the lay up for the surgery performed may increase. Consider educating yourself as to what stage you’re at, and remember that when you have tight fitting shoes, the shoe may not always be the problem.
Recovery from bunion surgery
Bunion treatments: Slip into your favorite pair of shoes again.
Are you experiencing foot pain, swelling, restricted movement of one or many toes, or difficulty fitting into your favorite pair of shoes? Take look at your bare foot. You might need bunion treatments.
Does your big toe point in toward your second toe? Is there a visible bump on your big toe joint? If so, you might have a bunion.
If your big toe looks fine, is there a sizable bump at the base of your pinky toe? If so, you could have a bunionette.
Bunions and bunionettes can make you dread putting on your shoes. The specialists at Anderson Podiatry Center are experts in treating both of these conditions, and can help you get back on your feet with:
- Custom orthotics
- Corrective surgery
- Long-lasting relief
- We treat the underlying cause of bunions and bunionettes, not just the symptoms
- Most insurance plans accepted
- Medicare-certified, state-of the art-surgery center
- Can help you get back on your feet with custom orthotics corrective surgery
If you are looking for a podiatrist to treat bunions near you, consider our experience and watch out patient testimonials to hear results from our patients.