That painful, bony bump on the side of your big toe is more than just an uncomfortable nuisance – it’s an actual deformity in your joint. The team at South County Foot & Ankle understands just how uncomfortable bunions can become and offer plenty of treatment solutions. To learn more about your treatment options for bunions, visit the team at any of their locations in Warwick, Wakefield, Westerly, Providence, Scituate, and Lincoln, Rhode Island. Call the office to book an evaluation or use the online scheduling tool today.
Bunions develop at the base of your big toe as your toe gets pushed out of its natural alignment. In many cases, bunions form because of snug-fitting footwear. For example, if you regularly wear pointy, high-heeled, or ill-fitting shoes, your big toe has to make room for itself by scrunching up next to your smaller toes.
Over time, your big toe actually gets stuck in this position as your joint starts to change shape. The same type of issue can even develop in your baby toe, a condition known as a bunionette.
Your shoes aren’t the only thing to blame when it comes to bunions, though. Bunions can also develop because of previous injuries or trauma, hereditary foot development, or congenital birth deformities.
Having arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, can further increase your risk of developing bunions.
Not always. Over time, if left untreated, bunions can certainly become painful and uncomfortable. The signs and symptoms you experience with a bunion just depend on the severity of your condition. Bunions can lead to:
To make matters worse, if you have bunions, you also have a very high risk of developing hammertoes in your smaller toes. This issue can lead to even more toe pain and discomfort.
At South County Foot & Ankle, your podiatrist thoroughly evaluates you, goes over your symptoms, and looks at imaging (if needed) to determine the severity of your bunion. Most bunion sufferers get relief by trying at least one type of conservative treatment, such as:
If you’re not getting relief from pain, or if your bunion is starting to affect your quality of life, your podiatrist may suggest bunion surgery. Modern bunion surgery is minimally invasive and allows your podiatrist to reconstruct your toe joint, remove damaged tissue, and make any necessary tissue repairs.
Schedule your bunion evaluation at South County Foot & Ankle today. Book online or over the phone.
