Bunion Specialist

What are bunions?

A bunion is a type of foot deformity that occurs when the bones in your big toe are forced out of position. As the big toe is exposed to ongoing pressure, the top of the toe bends inward, while the joint at the base of the toe is forced outward. Over time, the displaced joint causes a bony bump on the side of your foot.

What causes bunions?

Bunions develop over years due to abnormal pressure on your toe. Sometimes the problem begins when you suffer an injury that affects the way you walk and places unusual pressure on your big toe. Patients with inflammatory diseases such as arthritis have a higher chance of developing bunions.

You may inherit a structural abnormality that makes you more likely to develop bunions. For example, flatfeet lead to unusual biomechanics, causing pressure that contributes to bunions. High-heeled shoes and shoes with narrow toes also place substantial pressure on the toe, which accelerates bunion development and aggravates an existing bunion.

If you don’t get treatment from a podiatrist like Dr. Hersh, your bunion can progressively worsen, and ultimately the structure of the bone will permanently change.

How are bunions treated?

Bunion care at Ani Orthopaedics is always customized and depends on the degree of your pain and the severity of your bunion. Dr. Hersh may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Shoe improvements

Depending on the severity of your bunions, you may enjoy symptom relief by switching to another style of shoes. Otherwise, you may need orthotic inserts or orthopaedic shoes that are designed to eliminate pressure and stabilize the joint.

Structured exercise

Dr. Hersh teaches you stretching and strengthening exercises to improve movement in your toe.

Medication

Topical medications and joint injections can help relieve inflammation and pain.

Surgery

When conservative therapies don’t relieve your pain or your bunion deformity worsens, Dr. Hersh may recommend surgery to eliminate the deformity, restore normal bone alignment, and prevent the problem from recurring.

Dr. Hersh has successfully performed numerous bunion surgeries, an experience that’s important because the complex procedure involves cutting bone, tightening ligaments, and fusing bones to ensure stability.

When you experience persistent pain or notice a protruding bump on the side of your foot, call Ani Orthopaedics or book an appointment online to receive high-quality bunion care.