Foot Care 2 You
Trusted Podiatrists serving West Orange, NJ, Toms River, NJ, Bloomfield, NJ & Elmwood Park, NJ
A bunion can cause serious pain and frustration — and it might even leave you unable to walk or wear shoes normally. But, the good news is that the Foot Care 2 You podiatrists offer advanced treatments to end your pain and restore your toe alignment. Reach out to the podiatry experts at the location nearest you in Toms River, Elmwood Park, West Orange, or Bloomfield, New Jersey, or book online now.
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Bunion
What are bunions?
A bunion, medically known as hallux valgus, is a dislocation of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the bottom of your big toe. When you have a bunion, your big toe angles sharply towards your other toes, and a bony bump grows on the side of your foot.
Your MTP joint is crucial for proper weight distribution, so when it’s misaligned, you may have an uneven gait. Bunions can also make it hard to wear most enclosed shoes.
Bunionettes, also called tailor’s bunions, are smaller bunions at the base of the little toe. Bunions worsen over time, making it important to get help at Foot Care 2 You as soon as possible.
How did I get a bunion?
Bunions typically develop because of a combination of factors including faulty foot development, your inherited foot type, and walking patterns. Other factors in bunion development can include:
- Foot injuries
- Congenital foot deformities
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Arthritis
- Inflammatory joint disease
Too-tight shoes may be a factor, too. High heels pressure the MTP joint and angle your toes together, which can contribute to bunion development. Because of this, bunions are more prevalent in women.
What are the symptoms of bunions?
The bony growth on the side of your foot is the most obvious indicator of a bunion. Most bunion sufferers have pain or tenderness around the MTP joint, as well. You might also experience significant swelling and redness around the affected joint.
Sometimes, bunions can cause other foot problems like a hammertoe, corns, or calluses because of the uneven weight distribution in your feet. Bunions usually become stiffer over time, and the painful bump may grow larger if you don’t get treatment early enough.
What is the best treatment for bunions?
To ease bunion pain at home, apply ice packs and avoid tight footwear until you can see a podiatrist at Foot Care 2 You. Your podiatrist examines your foot and performs imaging tests like X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scans if needed to determine the extent of damage in your foot.
Your bunion treatment can include:
- Custom orthotics
- Change of footwear
- Taping or padding
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Anti-inflammatory injections, like corticosteroids
You might need surgery if your bunion does not get better with noninvasive treatments. Your Foot Care 2 You podiatrist can reset your affected joint, remove the bony prominence, and make other adjustments as needed.
Don’t suffer from your bony bunion anymore. Use the online scheduler or call the Foot Care 2 You office nearest you today for bunion help.