A bony bump at the base of your big toe may be a bunion, a deformity that can eventually interfere with your ability to walk comfortably.
Fortunately, treatment options are available to alleviate discomfort and manage this condition.
Forward Foot & Ankle Associates in New York, NY, can provide you with conservative solutions or bunion surgery.
WHAT CAUSES A BUNION?
A bunion, also referred to as hallux valgus, is one of the most common forefoot deformities. The condition occurs when the front foot bones become misaligned. As the tip of the big toe gets pulled toward the smaller toes, the joint at the base of the big toe is forced out of place and starts to protrude.
Though the exact cause of bunions is unknown, factors likely include:
- Long-term wear of tight shoes
- Frequent wearing of high heels
- Toe or foot injuries
- Birth defects and deformities
- Arthritis, specifically inflammatory arthritis
- Genetics
IDENTIFYING A BUNION
If you have a bunion, you may notice signs and symptoms such as:
A Visible Bulge
A bulge forms on the outside of the base of your big toe.
Corns or Calluses
Corns and calluses can develop where the first and second toes rub against each other.
Red, Sore Skin
The bulge on the toe joint may be sore and appear red.
Foot Pain
You may experience ongoing or intermittent pain.
Stiffness
It can become difficult to move your big toe.
Though bunions often require no medical treatment, we recommend requesting an appointment with our podiatrists serving the Greater New York area if you experience ongoing big toe or foot pain, inhibited movement of the foot or big toe, a visible bump on the toe joint, or difficulty finding shoes that fit because of the bunion.
GET BACK ON YOUR FEET
WITH HELP FROM OUR BOARD-CERTIFIED PODIATRISTS
Our team of doctors in New York, NY, is made up of only board-certified podiatrists who can identify and treat a wide range of foot conditions and deformities, including hallux valgus. We will develop a customized treatment plan to get you back on your feet as soon as possible so you can navigate the busy New York streets with ease and lead a healthy lifestyle.
If you're seeking bunion treatment in the Greater New York City area, we invite you to request a consultation at either our Staten Island or New York office.
Call: (917) 746-1748
"Your feet are two of your most important assets. Forward Foot & Ankle Associates are podiatrists who strive to give their patients personalized care so they can continue to lead active lifestyles."
DIAGNOSING YOUR CONDITION
One of our NY podiatrists will examine your foot to determine if you have a bunion. If they identify a bunion, they may take an X-ray to determine the best way to treat your condition. After your X-ray has given them a better idea of the severity of your condition, they may make recommendations for conservative treatment options or, in advanced cases, bunion surgery.
MANAGING BUNIONSWITH CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Nonsurgical treatment options that may help relieve the pain and pressure you're experiencing include:
PADDING YOUR FEET
Over-the-counter bunion pads can alleviate discomfort by acting as a buffer between your bunion and your shoe. Orthotics, or padded shoe inserts, can help distribute pressure evenly when you walk.
CHANGING YOUR SHOES
High heels and shoes with a narrow toe box (the front part of a shoe that protects the toes) can cause misalignment. We recommend switching to shoes that allow enough space in the front for your toes.
TAKING PAIN MEDICATION
Over-the-counter pain medication can minimize discomfort. Additionally, cortisone shots can reduce inflammation for up to six months.
RECEIVING PRP INJECTIONS
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be recommended for patients who experience regular pain or have a bunion that affects their mobility. PRP injections use your own growth factors to reduce pain and inflammation.
Nonsurgical treatment is not a permanent solution for bunions. The only way to remove bunions permanently is through surgery.
BUNION SURGERY
Our podiatrists can provide you with effective bunion surgery if conservative treatment options aren't helping you manage your symptoms. The type of surgical procedure our podiatrists will perform depends on the severity of your condition:
Mild
Your surgeon may remove the enlarged portion of bone and realign the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the toe joint.
Moderate
Your surgeon may alter the bone to shift it into its proper position. The surrounding tendons and ligaments are then repositioned.
Severe
Your surgeon may remove the enlarged portion of the bone, alter and realign the bone, and correct the position of the tendons and ligaments.
Arthritic
If the toe joint is damaged beyond repair, your surgeon may fuse the bones or reconstruct the toe joint using implants.
ACHIEVE LIFE-CHANGING RESULTS
WITH BUNION SURGERY
Before — This patient had severe hallux valgus that caused pain and discomfort.
After — After bunion surgery, the appearance of the patient's foot has been restored and they can walk comfortably once again.
View More Patient Success Stories
RECOVERING FROM BUNION SURGERY
Recovering from your bunion surgery can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. To recover from your procedure and prevent a bunion from forming again, our New York podiatrists recommend:
Resting
Patients should stay off their feet and rest for at least two weeks. Try to keep your foot elevated at least 80% of the time for the first week and 50% of the time for the second week.
Wearing Proper Footwear
Footwear with a narrow toe box will no longer be a realistic option for bunion patients. You'll have to choose footwear with plenty of room in the front instead.
Our podiatrists serving New York City and beyond will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions after your bunion surgery. Be sure to follow them to minimize the probability of recurrence.
Will a Bunion Grow Back After Surgery?
According to the Hospital for Special Surgery, the recurrence rate for bunions is about 20% over a patient's lifetime. Recurrence is more likely to happen if the wrong procedure was used to correct the condition or if the bunion wasn't fully corrected during the procedure. Our board-certified podiatrists can perform effective bunion surgery and lower your chances of recurrence.
WITHOUT TIMELY BUNION TREATMENT
THE CONDITION CAN GET WORSE
When bunions aren't treated quickly, other symptoms and conditions can develop. You may start to experience:
Swelling
Painful swelling in the balls of your feet may occur alongside toe pain and an enlarging bunion.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a condition in which the second toe is pushed out of place by the misaligned big toe.
Though our podiatrists can provide you with treatment options for additional symptoms and conditions like hammertoe, preventing the need for additional procedures is the best approach. Our podiatrists can give you the timely care you need.
"Together, we can develop a customized treatment plan that can get you back on your feet as soon as possible so you can navigate the busy New York streets with ease and lead a healthy lifestyle."