What is a bunion?
A bunion is a painful, bony lump that appears on the big toe side of your foot. Bunions develop when the joint at the base of your big toe starts pressing on the bone behind it, which is called the metatarsal.
The joint involved enables you to bend your big toe when you’re walking and running. The metatarsal bone is more likely to come under pressure from the big toe joint if your toe points inward toward your other toes instead of pointing forward.
In some people, the joint spreads because of the continual pressure from your body weight on your feet. You’re more likely to develop a bunion if:
- They run in your family
- Your foot structure is poor
- You have arthritis in your feet
- Your legs are different lengths
Women are more likely to get bunions than men. This is because wearing high heels forces your foot bones into an unnatural position for prolonged periods over many years.
Are bunions a serious problem?
Bunions aren’t a serious problem as such, but they can have a significant impact on your life, nonetheless. At first, bunions might be painless, and all you notice is the beginnings of a lump. The lump gradually increases in size and might start to throb and feel hot. They gradually get more uncomfortable, pressing into your shoes and rubbing so that it starts to get uncomfortable to walk.
The skin over the bunion goes red and shiny as it stretches over the lump. As the inflammation in the joint increases, the bunion gets bigger and becomes sore to touch. Eventually, the pain from a bunion can prevent you from walking far and becomes a constant source of discomfort.
How are bunions treated?
The earlier you visit Dr. Cancelliere about your bunion the easier it is to treat, so you avoid significant pain, inconvenience, and expense. In most cases, bunions improve with conservative treatment approaches, which include:
- Pain-relieving medications
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Using ice packs
- Custom shoes
- Custom orthotics
- Padding or splinting
- Taping the foot
- Steroid injections
In advanced cases, these noninvasive approaches might not be so effective. If your bunion isn’t getting better, Dr. Cancelliere is an expert in carrying out minimally invasive foot surgery for bunions.
To find out more about recovering from having a bunion, call Candria Foot & Ankle Specialists today, or book an appointment online.
