One of the more common foot ailments is something called a bunion. What is a bunion? A bunion is a painful bony bump on the inside of your foot usually located near the base of your big toe. Another name for a bunion is a hallux vulgus.
Bunions can be caused by:
- Narrow or tight-fitting shoes – will squeeze toes together. It is very important to wear proper fitting footwear.
- High heel footwear – will also press the toes together putting undue stress on that part of the foot
- Inherited genetic predisposition – your relatives may have bunions increasing the chances for you to develop them
- Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis especially
- A foot injury – damage to your feet can cause the developing of a bunion
Symptoms of a Bunion include:
- A painful growing bump on the inside of your foot near the base of your big toe
- Swelling around your big toe
- Corns and calluses – the developing of round hardened areas of skin
- Pain – steady or intermittent pain
- Limited ability to move your feet or toes
Treatments for a bunion include:
- Over the counter medicine
- Ice- apply ice to the foot for 15 minutes, remove for 20 minutes, then repeat
- Apply padding – padding can help put the toes back into a more normal position
- Inserts or orthotics – Store bought orthotic may help or your podiatrist can fashion one exclusively for you. Can relieve the stress on your foot
Bunions can also be treated surgically including:
- Removing the swollen tissue around the toe
- Straightening the bone in your foot to realign the toe
- Fusing the bones in your toes
Someone who develops a bunion can also suffer from other conditions spurred on by the bunion. They include Bursitis, Hammertoe, and Metatarsalgia. Either way, it is very important to see your podiatrist to treat the bunion and prevent the addition of these other conditions.
If you believe you have a bunion or have any other concerns about your feet, make an appointment with Dr. Melissa Robitaille or Dr. Todd Newsom at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Specialists, 114 Canal St, Suite 703, Pooler, GA, 31322. Call us at (912) 988-3323.
