CONDITIONS
What is a bunion?
Bunions are very common and most easily identified as bumps located on the outside of the big toe, where the toes meet the forefoot. Bunions themselves are caused when the big toe abnormally leans at an angle closer to the second toe, placing the big toe and the other bones out of alignment.
Typically, patients develop bunions based on genetics and the natural structure of their feet. Some foot types can make patients more likely to develop bunions and experience pain. Additionally, improper shoewear can create irritation but is never the primary cause of bunions.
Unfortunately, bunions become increasingly larger and worse for patients over time. Patients experience different types and sizes of bunions, and each case is unique. Bunions can even result in the development of osteoarthritis in the big toe joint, which would result in the patient experiencing even more pain.
What are the symptoms?
- A bony, rounded protrusion on the outside of the big toe
- Pain in the area near the bump
How is a diagnosis made?
To diagnose bunions, Dr Amir will examine the foot and gather an extensive family medical history from the patient. Typically, Dr Amir can diagnose the condition with X-ray imaging.
What are treatment options?
Patients who do not experience severe pain with bunions can live active lives without any particular treatment but should consider wearing appropriate shoes as to not promote irritation. For those patients experiencing irritation, proper footwear is essential and oral pain relief medication can be used. For patients with severe deformities, surgery may be necessary.
When is surgery needed?
If the above-mentioned treatments fail to relieve bunion pain or when the bunion begins to interfere with normal activities, patients may need surgery to alleviate the pain. There are several procedures that Dr Amir will consider for each patient to treat the bunion. To determine the best route, Dr Amir will consider the extent of the deformity based on the X-ray findings, the patient’s age, and the patient’s activity level. Since the surgeries are more invasive, patients will experience swelling in the area that goes away about 1.5 months after surgery. A specifically structured shoe or cast will be required for the patient to wear to protect the foot while it heals.
