Bunions

Bunions are misaligned big toe joints that can become swollen and tender, causing the first joint of the big toe to slant outward, and the second joint to angle toward the other toes. Bunions tend to be hereditary, but can be aggravated by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot and toe. Surgery by a podiatric physician is frequently recommended to correct the problem.

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What is a Bunion? Bunions are often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. The visible bump actually reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. With a bunion, the big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead.

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What Causes a Bunion? Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot. It’s not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion. Wearing tight shoes that crowd the toes won’t actually cause bunions, it sometimes makes the deformity get progressively worse, and you experience systems sooner.

 

Symptoms most often occur when wearing shoes that crowd the toes or shoes with a tight toe box or high heels. This may explain why women are more likely to have symptoms than men. Also, spending long periods of time on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of bunions. Some symptoms that occur at the site of the bunion may include:

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    •    Pain or soreness

    •    Inflammation and redness

    •    A burning sensation

    •    Numbness

    •    Calluses on the big toe

    •    Sores between toes

    •    Ingrown toenail

    •    Restricted motion of the toe

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At Neville Foot and Ankle Centers, we offer an experienced team of medical and surgical specialists of the foot and ankle. As licensed podiatrists, we believe our patients deserve to have the information necessary to make good choices about their foot and ankle care.