If you have bunions that are making life painful, the team at Cumberland Valley Foot and Ankle Specialists in Mechanicsburg, PA, is here to help you achieve relief.
Guide to Bunions: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Your feet are responsible for carrying you through your daily life. When something causes pain in them, it can throw everything off track and make even walking to your refrigerator a challenging process.
One of the many things that creates such pain is a bunion. In this guide, the team at Cumberland Valley Foot and Ankle Specialists in Mechanicsburg, PA, explain what bunions are, what causes them, and how they can be treated.
The Basics of a Bunion
A bunion is often characterized as a bony bump. Though this bump can occur on the big or little toe, they are more common at the base of the big toe. They form when something causes the toe joint to become misaligned, which causes the top of the toe to bend inward toward the others.
The misaligned joint typically rubs against the shoes, which leads to a painful bump. The joint may also become sore and stiff.
Genetics tend to play the biggest role in the formation of a bunion, as it is often due to foot structure. However, the toe joint can also become misaligned due to an injury, wearing shoes that are too tight in the toe box, and being on your feet for long periods.
Symptoms of a Bunion
The most obvious sign of a bunion is a visible bump on the outside of the toe joint. You may also experience swelling, pain, and redness at the joint, as well as calluses and corns on the other toes or the bottom of your feet. You might notice that your toe joint can’t move well or at all, and it is often difficult to wear shoes.
Treatment
Visiting a podiatrist is the first step in successfully treating a bunion. Conservative measures are utilized first, which often include certain lifestyle changes such as:
- Changing to wider shoes
- Using ice for swelling
- Resting your feet more often
- Losing weight, if it plays a role
Custom orthotics, toe spacers, and other devices might also help address your needs. When conservative measures do not provide the desired relief and results, surgical options may be considered to realign the toe joint.
If bunions negatively impact your life, it’s time to take a stand. Schedule an appointment with the team at Cumberland Valley Foot and Ankle Specialists in Mechanicsburg, PA, by calling (717) 761-3161 today.