WHAT IS A BUNION?
A bunion is a foot deformity that usually affects the joint of your big toe. Less often, bunions can develop in the joint of your baby toe.
The distended joint at the base of your big toe is a bunion’s most recognizable characteristic. As the joint moves farther out of alignment, it grows larger and protrudes from the side of your foot. Because of this misalignment, your big toe turns and pushes against your second toe, sometimes completely overlapping it.
While anyone can develop a bunion, this condition is more common in women than men.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A BUNION?
Depending on the extent of your bunion, corns and calluses might develop between your toes if overlapping occurs. As the joint at the base of your big toe enlarges, you might experience
symptoms in the area such as:
Pain
Redness
Tenderness
Swelling
Less mobility in the toe
HOW ARE BUNIONS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED?
Dr. Galoyan can usually diagnose bunions during a physical examination of your feet. To rule out other painful foot conditions like gout and arthritis, he might recommend digital X-rays to evaluate the bones of your feet further.
Not all bunions require treatment. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, having problems finding shoes that fit comfortably or have reduced mobility, he might recommend a variety of treatments to alleviate your symptoms.
Non-surgical bunion treatments can include:
Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers
Shields, pads, or other bunion cushions
Steroid injections that relieve pain and inflammation
Custom-made orthotic insoles
When bunions are severe, Dr. Galoyan might recommend a bunionectomy. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic to surgically correct the alignment of your foot by removing the bunion growth.
Call Metropolitan Podiatry for more information, or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about bunion treatments.