Do My Bunions Require Surgery?
If you have a painful bump on the outside base of your big toe that appears red and swollen, you may have a bunion. With this deformity, your big toe pushes against the second toe and forces the big toe joint to grow larger.
The pressure of the toe in an unnatural position along with friction from footwear can cause corns, calluses and other skin irritations.
You may be at risk of a bunion due to an inherited foot structural defect. But wearing high heels or shoes that are tight and narrow can also cause a bunion, or make an existing deformity worse. Even a medical condition like arthritis can cause a bunion.
Once you have a bunion, it will not go away! There is no relief without medical intervention.
Non-Invasive Treatments Can Help Relieve Bunion Symptoms
If you have big toe pain and swelling at the joint, please contact us for an evaluation. Once we confirm our diagnosis, we will try conservative or non-invasive treatments to relieve the pain and to halt the bunion’s growth. These treatments may include:
- Switching to footwear with plenty of room in the toe box to ease the pressure.
- Using padding to reduce the friction from shoes and help alleviate inflammation and skin irritations.
- Careful removal of any calluses and corns on the foot.
- Custom-fitted orthotics that can help stabilize the joint and keep the foot in the right position.
- Exercises to prevent stiffness and help maintain mobility of the joint.
For young people with bunions, a nighttime splint can help the joint properly align because their bone development may still be flexible.
Bunion Surgery May Be Necessary
If your bunion pain persists and it interferes with your daily activities, we will discuss bunion surgery with you.
Like all surgery, a bunion surgery procedure, or bunionectomy, depends on the patient’s individual circumstances. Generally, bunion surgery removes the bunion and realigns the toe.
Let Us Relieve Your Bunion Pain
Foot or toe pain is not normal! If you have pain from bunions or any other foot or ankle condition, or have suffered any type of foot injury, please call Dr. Christopher M. Funk, Dr. Bradley A. Whitaker or Dr. Peter C. Merrill at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists. Our professional staff offers expert podiatry services at three Pima County offices: Tucson, Oro Valley and Green Valley. Please call us today at (520) 575-0800 to schedule your appointment.
