Bunions

Bunions affect the joint forming the base of your big toe, resulting in a painful lump that rubs against your shoes. If you develop a bunion, visit Stephanie Parks, DPM, and Justin Ward, DPM, at Bosque Foot and Ankle in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They provide comprehensive conservative bunion care and advanced surgical solutions for severe bunions. Call Bosque Foot and Ankle or schedule a consultation online today for exceptional bunion treatment.

What are bunions?

Bunions are painful lumps at the big toe’s base. The joint becomes inflamed and swollen, and as the bunion worsens, it’s increasingly difficult to walk. The sides of your shoes press on the lump, making it sore and tender. The skin reddens and looks shiny and taut.

Bunions aren’t masses or bone spurs (abnormal bony growths). They form when the top of the big toe points inward too far, pushing the bone at the toe’s base outward. Bunionettes are a similar problem affecting the little toe.

Why do I have bunions?

Bunions sometimes result from trauma, and your risk of bunions is higher if close family members have them. Structural foot abnormalities and arthritis are also risk factors for bunions. Wearing shoes that force the big toe into the second toe for long periods could be to blame for bunion formation or make bunions worse.

Bosque Foot and Ankle’s experienced podiatrists can diagnose your bunions during a physical exam. They may also order X-rays to assess the internal joint distortion.

What treatment do bunions require?

At first, bunions may cause little discomfort, but the pain typically worsens and causes increasing disability as time passes. The Bosque Foot and Ankle team recommends early bunion treatment for optimal results.

Conservative therapies are often effective for bunions, particularly in their early stages. Your podiatrist might recommend one or more of the following:

• Nonmedicated bunion pads/cushions
• Applying ice packs to reduce inflammation
• Splints to straighten the toe
• Stretching exercises
• Custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Medications

You should also wear comfortable shoes with plenty of toe space.

If your bunions don’t improve with these measures, your podiatrist can inject the toe joint with anti-inflammatory corticosteroid medication.

Will my bunions require surgery?

Your bunions might require surgery if conservative methods are ineffective and the bunion causes frequent pain or affects daily activities.

Several surgical options are available for bunions, including the following:

• Removing swollen toe joint tissue
• Removing bone to straighten your big toe
• Realigning one or more forefoot bones
• Fusing the affected toe bones permanently

The Bosque Foot and Ankle team selects the approach that best suits your needs.

Patients can often walk immediately after bunion surgery, but complete recovery may take weeks or months.

Call Bosque Foot and Ankle to schedule a bunion evaluation or request one online today.