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If you have noticed a change in the joint of your big toe, you may have a bunion. Bunions most often affect the big toe and cause the toe to incline towards the second toe instead of staying straight ahead. Because it pushes the big toe towards the second toe, it causes the joint to push out.
Bunions can be painful and keep you from walking and exercising. The good news is bunions are treatable.
The condition is usually seen in adults. The condition may be due to a problem with the bones of the foot. The type of shoe you wear can increase the risk but not directly cause bunions.
Though usually seen in the big toe, it can also occur in the little toe. This is known as a “tailor’s bunion.”
This article will look at what happens if you leave a bunion untreated, the fastest way to get rid of a bunion and if a bunion can correct itself.
Several issues can occur if you leave a bunion untreated. Some of the complications include:
To prevent these complications, you must see a podiatrist in Florida to treat the bunion before it gets worse. We have several locations to help treat the condition. Find the doctor’s office that is closest to you.
Bunions are usually treated conservatively. The podiatrist will most likely recommend wearing a supportive shoe. The best shoe has a wide and flexible sole with enough room in the part surrounding the front of the foot. Sandals, the right athletic shoe, and shoes made from soft leather are good choices.
A shoe with a hard heel is suggested to keep the heel of the foot in place. Narrow shoes can be reshaped with shoe stretchers making room for the bunion in the front of the shoe.
Podiatrists may recommend semi-soft shoe inserts that can position the foot correctly when striking the ground. Splints are also available to wear at night to hold the toe straight and to help to ease discomfort.
You can protect bunions with moleskin or gel-filled pads. These are available at most drugstores.
If your bunion is painful, short-term treatment options include: warm soaks, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. If that is not helpful, the podiatrist may consider cortisone injections to help temporarily reduce inflammation and pain. Bear in mind this is usually only a temporary solution.
Bunions are permanent without surgery but can usually be managed using the suggestions listed above. Conservative treatments help to ease the pain and make managing bunions tolerable. These methods can also slow the progression of the bunion.
If your bunion is very painful, then a podiatrist may recommend surgery. It is usually not recommended until conservative treatments have been tried for at least a year.
If the bunion contributes to other foot conditions, then surgery may indeed be recommended. Having a consultation with your podiatrist is the best way to know if you are a surgical candidate.
If you are concerned you have a bunion, Florida Foot and Ankle Associates has several locations throughout South Florida, our specialists serving the Greater Miami Area, including Miami-Dade (Miami, Kendall, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables), Broward County (Hollywood, Pembroke Pines), and Palm Beach County (Boca Raton). Find your doctor here!
At Florida Foot and Ankle Associates, YOU matter. Our caring and compassionate staff will be there to support you every step of the way. From routine care to more specialized treatment, our foot specialists are trained in new methods and advanced equipment in podiatry.
We treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including:
And more!
If you have any questions, contact us or call us at 786-662-3893.
Find the doctor’s office closest to you. We look forward to working with you to start to heal and get back on your feet!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
