Bunion Specialist

What is a bunion?

A bunion is a lump where the base of your big toe joins the ball of your foot. That is the widest part of your foot, which has a natural bump to it. A bunion makes this natural bump expand in a painful manner.

The bunion isn't a growth – it forms from the bones in your toe joint and the metatarsal bone. As the lump expands, it becomes increasingly sore and painful. Untreated bunions can cause problems with walking.

Why have I got a bunion?

A bunion develops when there's a pressure buildup between the bones in this part of your foot.

That pressure might be a result of some kind of abnormality in the structure of your foot. The more your big toe points in towards your other toes, the more likely it is that you may develop a bunion.

Arthritis in the foot can lead to a bunion, and having family members with bunions increases your risk. However, one of the main causes of bunions is wearing shoes that force your feet into an unnatural position. High heeled shoes are particularly to blame for this effect.

Does a bunion need treatment?

When it initially starts to develop, a bunion might not be painful, just annoying or unsightly. You might think it's not worth treating your bunion at this stage. However, as time passes and your bunion gets bigger, inflammation can cause it to become quite uncomfortable.

Wearing shoes puts pressure on the bunion that makes the pain worse. As the bunion gets larger, the pain increases. The skin on the lump is likely to rub on the inside of your shoes, making your bunion even more uncomfortable.

At Collier Podiatry, Dr. Petrocelli can treat your bunions at any stage of their development. However, seeking treatment early on can save you the discomfort and inconvenience of more invasive treatments.

What treatment options are there for a bunion?

Dr. Petrocelli offers effective treatments for bunions to relieve pain and inflammation. These treatments include:

• Ice packs and cooling gel
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Realigning the bones using padding, taping, or splinting
• Custom shoes or orthotics
• Steroid injections

If your bunion is too severe, these methods may not work, in which case, Dr. Petrocelli can perform bunion surgery. There are two approaches to treating bunions surgically:

Bunionectomy

Dr. Petrocelli removes the swollen tissue around your big toe joint.

Osteotomy

Dr. Petrocelli removes some of the bone to straighten your big toe.

To get prompt, expert relief for your bunion pain, call Collier Podiatry today.