Bunions

Caused by the shifting of bones in your big-toe joint, a bunion can lead to chronic inflammation, soreness, and stiffness. Before your bunion pain worsens, see how Nrupa Shah, DPM, and the team at Prime Foot and Ankle Care in South Brunswick, New Jersey, can help. Call the office or request an appointment online today. 

Why do bunions develop?

Bunions most commonly develop because of genetic factors. Inheriting unstable joints or faulty foot mechanics can increase your risk of bone displacement. When you have these underlying issues and wear high heels or ill-fitting shoes, your big toe crosses over or under your smaller toes to make room for itself.

Over time, your toe joint changes shape to accommodate this new slanted position. Your big toe essentially gets trained to cross over your toes and ultimately stays this way. 

But you can also develop bunions because of walking or running in a manner that stresses your feet, or because of a previous injury. No matter the cause of your bunions, though, you don’t have to learn to live with the pain. 

What are the symptoms of bunions?

Bunions don’t always cause symptoms, particularly in early development. However, bunions are progressive and continue to worsen if you don’t have a podiatrist intervene early on. As your bunions progress, you may have:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Stiffness
• Calluses or corns

Bunions can lead to such a limited range of motion in your big-toe joint that you develop difficulty walking. You can even develop secondary issues, such as hammertoes or mallet toes, because of your big-toe deformity. Before your bunion leads to any of these serious issues, schedule an evaluation at Prime Foot and Ankle Care. 

How does a podiatrist treat bunions?

Prime Foot and Ankle Care provides on-site digital X-ray imaging, so your podiatrist can determine the severity of your bunion deformity quickly and educate you about treatment solutions. Your bunion treatment package may include:

• Toe stretches
• Bunion padding
• Cortisone injections 
• Custom orthotic inserts
• Footwear modifications or changes
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

In advanced stages, surgical care may be necessary. Dr. Shah uses minimally invasive measures to remove the bony bump and damaged tissues while correcting and realigning your toe joints. Modern bunion surgery is highly effective for restoring your full foot function and resolving symptoms. 

Prime Foot and Ankle Care provides integrative treatment solutions for bunions, so you won’t have to live with pain another day. Call the office or request an appointment online today.