A bunion is a progressive bony deformity that can form at the big toe or little toe joints and develop pain with or without swelling or redness. Bunions can be extremely painful due malalignment of the joint, arthritis of the joint and due to the weight of all your body resting on it each time you take a step. Everyday activities, such as walking and wearing shoes, can cause discomfort if you have a bunion.

Reasons that a person may develop a bunion can vary. Some patients may form bunions due to genetic factors, complications with arthritis, or a weak foot structure. General aging can also play a role in the formation of a bunion.

If you have a bunion, you may notice a bony bump on your big toe or little toe and the toe may lean towards the other toes. You may experience swelling and redness, and the area may feel tender to touch or move. To help alleviate the pain that often comes with having a bunion, it’s suggested to maintain a healthy weight to help lessen the pressure on your toe, wear wide-fitting soft shoes to leave plenty of space for your toes and to minimize rubbing, and look into shoe inserts that can help position your foot correctly to reduce strain on the joint. Topical pain relieving gels may be beneficial.

Because bunions can result in other painful foot problems, such as hammertoes and bursitis, we recommend that you meet with a podiatrist and call our office to schedule an appointment for a professional diagnosis and for information regarding all your treatment options.