Bunions Specialist

South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers

Podiatrists & Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Royal Palm Beach, FL & Lake Worth, FL

Bunions are a widespread issue today, but unfortunately, many people don’t get help. If you ignore the bony bump on your foot, it can worsen to cause chronic pain as well as other foot deformities. At South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers in Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, and Belle Glade, Florida, the leading podiatrists offer comprehensive bunion care in the office. Call the nearest location or book an appointment online.

Bunions Q & A

What are bunions?

Bunions are a foot deformity that develops in your main big toe joint, the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. A bunion can start when the two bones in this joint shift significantly.

The first metatarsal (the long bone in your upper foot) leans towards your other foot, while the proximal phalanx (the first big toe bone) leans in the opposite direction, towards the small toes.

This bone shifting causes a bump at the base of your big toe, pushing out on the side. Less commonly, you can develop a much smaller bunion, a bunionette, on the side of your pinky toe.

What symptoms do bunions cause?

Bunions can be embarrassing, as they alter the appearance of your feet quite a bit. Wanting to hide your feet isn’t the only challenge with bunions; they also cause problems including:

Pain in your MTP joint
Stiff big toe
Swelling in your MTP joint
Metatarsalgia - pain in the ball of your foot
Corns on your big toe
Calluses on the ball of your foot
Hammertoe
Big toe nerve damage

With bunions, you're more likely to develop arthritis in your MTP joint and experience long-term pain and gait instability.

What causes bunions?

Several factors can play a role in the development of bunions. Genetics — specifically, the type of foot you inherit — can increase your risk of bunions. Tight shoes, like high heels, can encourage bunion development and may worsen existing bunions.

You may have an increased risk for bunions if you have a short Achilles tendon, arthritis, or flat feet.

What is the most effective treatment for bunions?

Bunions are progressive, which means they grow larger and more severe if you don't treat them. The specialists at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers believe that you should always be heavily involved in treatment decisions, so they review all the options with you to choose the best solutions for your needs.

The South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers specialists usually take a conservative approach to start, including icing, new shoes, prescribed orthotic inserts, splinting, and padding. These treatments can significantly minimize your bunion symptoms, but only surgery can permanently correct the bunion deformity.

Book your appointment by calling South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers or scheduling online today.

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