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Bunions can cause great discomfort and even cause difficulty walking when wearing certain shoes. If you notice the development of bunions or currently have them, don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert podiatry team at Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists. They offer effective treatment options, including Lapiplasty®. Call or book an appointment online today at the location nearest you in Louisville, Leitchfield, Elizabethtown, Shepherdsville, Fern Creek, or Jeffersonville, Kentucky. They can provide the care you need for your feet.
What are bunions?
Bunions are bony protrusions that develop at the base of the big toe, causing it to angle toward the second toe. This condition, known as hallux valgus, results in a joint deformity where the metatarsal bone meets the proximal phalanx bone.
Bunions are often associated with pain, inflammation, and difficulty wearing certain types of shoes.
How do bunions develop?
Bunions typically develop over time due to various factors, such as:
Genetics
If you have a family history of bunions, you may be more predisposed to developing them.
Footwear choices
Wearing particularly tight or ill-fitting shoes that squeeze your toes together can contribute to the progression of bunions.
Other factors
Arthritis, foot injuries, and abnormalities in foot structure that place excess pressure on the big toe joint can also cause bunions to develop.
What issues can bunions cause?
The development of bunions can lead to several issues. Pain and discomfort are common symptoms, especially when walking or wearing shoes, which exacerbate the condition.
The protruding bump can also become inflamed, causing redness and swelling. As the deformity progresses, the big toe may start to shift toward the smaller toes, potentially causing additional toe deformities.
Bunions may also cause calluses or corns on the affected foot. That’s why it’s so important to see the expert podiatry team at Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists if you show any signs of bunions developing.
What are my treatment options for bunions?
Before developing a treatment plan, the podiatry team assesses the severity of your bunions and the symptoms you’re experiencing. Conservative measures include wearing footwear with a wider toe box, using padding or orthotic devices to alleviate pressure on the bunion, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain and inflammation.
For more advanced cases or when conservative measures prove ineffective, surgical intervention may be considered. Lapiplasty is a relatively new surgical procedure designed to address the root cause of bunions by realigning the misaligned bones in three dimensions. This technique can provide more stable and long-lasting results compared to traditional bunion surgeries.
Orthotics can also be beneficial in managing bunions by providing support and redistributing pressure on the foot. Physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint and improve overall foot function.
Whether you’re starting to develop bunions or have them already, call Louisville Foot and Ankle Specialists or book an appointment online today.