Up to 30% of adults have bunions –– painful growths that form on the outside of the big toe. At Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, in Marrero, Louisiana, board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons, Catherine Hudson, DPM, Denise Elliott, DPM, and the team offer conservative and surgical treatment for bunions. After an exam and a review of your medical history, the team can make personalized treatment recommendations. Call the office today to receive bunion treatment or make an appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat are bunions?
Bunions are hard, bony bumps that occur when your big toe joint changes position because of the way you walk or excess pressure. Without treatment, the bunion grows bigger, causing pain and mobility issues.
What are the symptoms of bunions?
Symptoms of bunions include:
- Numbness in the big toe
- Corns, calluses, or blisters
- Difficulty wearing shoes
- Inability to bend your big toe
As the bunion gets bigger, you may experience a burning sensation or persistent pain.
Do bunions require medical care?
Make an appointment at Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, if there’s a visible bump on your large toe joint that affects your normal routine or mobility. That’s especially true if your symptoms last for more than a few weeks, don’t improve with at-home treatment, or keep you from exercising.
How are bunions diagnosed?
Your Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when you first noticed the bunion, what it feels like, and if certain activities make the pain worse.
Your provider looks at your skin for bruising and redness and gently presses on the bunion to identify sensitive areas. They also order a series of X-rays to check the alignment of your bones and for joint damage.
How are bunions treated?
The Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, team has extensive training and more than 20 years of experience treating bunions. They may recommend:
- Bunion pads or taping
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Custom orthotics
- Wearing shoes with a wide toe box
If your symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatments, the team might recommend bunion surgery. During bunion surgery, your provider realigns the bones at the front of your foot, restoring your toe to its near-original position.
How can I keep my bunion from getting worse?
The easiest way to prevent a bunion from worsening is through treatment. Your Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, provider can tell you how to select appropriate shoes and keep your feet healthy. If you have flatfeet or another inherited structural abnormality, custom orthotics can help slow the progression of these conditions.
Call Foot and Ankle Center, LLC, today to learn more about the treatment of bunions, or book your appointment online.