What are bunions?
When your big toe pushes against the toe beside it, the joint sticks out, forming a bony bump. The more this occurs, the bigger the bump gets, and a bunion is formed. In most cases, bunions are caused by shoes that are too tight. However, in some instances, a bunion can be hereditary or it can be caused by arthritis.
Typically bunions cause foot discomfort and trouble finding shoes that accommodate the bump, and in extreme cases, they can affect your mobility. Some common symptoms are:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- Sore skin
- Restricted movement
- Stiffness
- Deformity of the joint
There are two types of bunions you can develop: structural and positional. Structural bunions are more severe and are the result of your toe shifting from its normal position. Positional bunions are a milder version caused by bone growth. It’s possible to have both types of bunions or only one.
Will I need surgery for my bunion?
Bunion surgery often isn’t necessary, but for severe cases, it can significantly reduce your pain and restore mobility. Dr. Kaviani and Dr. Chabokrow typically try to treat bunion discomfort with a more conservative, nonsurgical approach.
However, there are several options they might choose if you’d benefit from surgical intervention:
- Realignment of your bones to straighten your toe
- Removal of inflamed tissue surrounding the toe joint
- Partial bone removal to straighten the toe
- Tendon and ligament manipulation
For milder cases, numerous conservative treatment options are available to reduce the discomfort caused by your bunion:
- Custom orthotics
- Taping or splinting
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Ice
- Corticosteroid injections
- Daily stretches
- Physical therapy
Ultimately, the goal is to treat your bunion so you can resume your normal activities without discomfort.
How can I prevent bunions?
Regardless of which treatment method your podiatrist prescribes, comfortable and well-structured footwear is essential for not only preventing bunions, but also for stopping existing bunions from getting worse.
When choosing proper footwear, it’s best to keep some guidelines in mind:
- Select shoes that are as close as possible to your natural foot shape
- Most people have two different sized feet, so choose shoes that fit the larger foot
- Avoid pointy and narrow shoes
- Make sure your toes have plenty of room top to bottom and side to side
A qualified podiatrist can help restore your feet to their optimal health. Book an appointment with Dr. Kaviani or Dr. Chabokrow online or by phone.
