Many people with bunions experience chronic foot pain and mobility issues. If you’re tired of suffering, don’t wait to seek professional help. At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, Kris Ford, DPM, Jonathan Lorenzana, DPM, and the team boast years of training and expertise in the treatment of bunions. To schedule an in-office consultation at the practice in San Antonio, Texas, call the friendly administrative staff, or click the online booking feature today.
Bunions Q&A
What are bunions?
A bunion is a bony protrusion that forms on the outer edge of your foot at the base of your big toe. It occurs when your big toe joint moves out of position and bulges outward.
Bunions are one of the most common reasons people visit the podiatrist. It’s estimated that about 1 in 3 Americans has one. Bunions don’t always require treatment, but if yours is painful or interferes with your quality of life, contact the team at South Alamo Foot & Ankle.
What are the symptoms of bunions?
Symptoms of bunions include:
A bump on the outer edge of your big toe
Pain
Swelling, redness, or soreness
Difficulty walking or standing
Corns, calluses, and blisters
As the bunion grows, you might also have difficulty moving or bending your toe.
Who is at risk of bunions?
Anyone can experience a bunion, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
Wearing shoes that squish your toes together
Wearing tight or narrow shoes
Having an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis
Having relatives with bunions
Bunions aren’t always serious, but they may increase your risk of other foot-related health problems, such as bursitis, hammertoe, and metatarsalgia (pain and swelling in the ball of your foot).
How are bunions diagnosed?
To diagnose bunions, the team at South Alamo Foot & Ankle reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including when they first started and whether wearing certain types of shoes makes them worse.
Next, your provider has you take off your shoes and socks so they can examine your feet. Bunions are visible to the eye, but your provider might also order X-rays or a computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the alignment of the joints at the front of your foot.
How are bunions treated?
At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, the team treats bunions with conservative measures whenever possible. Depending on the size of the bunion and the severity of your symptoms, they might recommend:
Wearing comfortable, supportive shoes with plenty of toe room
Using over-the-counter bunion pads or inserts
Taking over-the-counter pain medication
Icing the bunion
Custom orthotics
If your symptoms persist or get worse, even after trying various types of treatment, the team might recommend surgery. During minimally invasive bunion surgery, your provider carefully realigns the bones at the base of your big toe to provide long-term relief.
To explore the various treatment options for bunions, make an appointment at South Alamo Foot & Ankle by calling the office, or clicking the online scheduling feature today.
