What is a Bunion
A bunion is defined as the enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—that forms when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint becomes displaced. This forces one toe to bend towards the others, causing a lump of bone on the foot that can be very painful. Because this joint carries a lot of the body’s weight, bunions can cause great pain if left untreated.
- Development of bump on the outside edge of the foot, at the base of the big toe.
- Redness or pain or swelling near the MTP joint.
- Corns caused by the overlap of the first and second toes.
- Restricted (often painful) motion of the big toe.
What Can You Do For Relief?
Pain reduction options vary with the type and severity of the bunion. Identifying the deformity early is important to avoid surgery. Left untreated, bunions tend to get larger and more painful, making surgery more likely.
We may recommend any one or more of these treatments:
- Padding & Taping — Padding the bunion reduces pain while allowing the patient to continue a normal, active life. Taping helps to keep the foot in a normal position thereby minimizing stress and pain.
- Medications — Cortisone injections are often prescribed to ease acute pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy – Can relieve inflammation and pain.
- Orthotics — Shoe inserts may help in controlling foot function and can reduce symptoms and deterioration of the deformity.
At a certain stage, podiatric surgery may be required to relieve pressure and repair the toe joint.
Bunion pain and deformity are significantly curtailed in the vast majority of patients who undergo bunion surgery. The surgery will remove the bony bump, restore the alignment of the toe joint, and reduce pain. In many cases, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia.
At our office, bunion treatment is our specialty. If you are suffering bunion pain, contact us and we can discuss your specific case in detail and come up with several treatment options.