Bunions

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a bone deformity that causes a painful bump to form on your big toe when the toe moves out of place.

What causes bunions?

Bunions are caused by an enlargement of the joint at the base and side of the big toe. Bunions form when the toe moves out of place.

Bunion tend to run in families because they are the result of a faulty foot structure, but there are many factors that cause this condition.

Wearing shoes that are too tight is the leading cause of bunions. Overtime ill-fitted shoes that are too small and too tight will cause the big toe to push against the next toe, forcing the joint of the big toe to grow larger and create a bony bump.

Foot injuries and other foot conditions can also lead to the formation of a bunion.

Common symptoms:

• Bony bump at the outside joint of the big toe
• Pain and discomfort
• Swelling and redness
• Rubbing and friction against footwear
• Corns and calluses
• Restricted movement of the big toe

How do we treat you?

We will perform a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms. We’ll evaluate your health history and if conservative treatment fails, we may recommend further solutions.

Usually, bunion pain can be treated conservatively by:

• Wearing appropriate footwear
• Toe splitters
• Toe splint orthotics
• Bunion pads
• Ice
• Soaking the affected toe and foot in the warm water

Depending on the size of the enlargement, misalignment of the toe, and pain experienced, conservative treatments may not be adequate to prevent progressive damage from bunions. In these cases, minimally invasive bunion surgery, known as a bunionectomy, may be advised to remove the bunion and realign the toe.

When to visit Nagy Footcare

If you have persistent or severe bunion pain around the joint of the big toe, it’s important to schedule a consultation with us at Nagy Footcare because you may need to consider further treatment options, such as minimally invasive bunion surgery.