As one of the most common foot malformations, bunions are known to lead to acute foot pain and stiffness. If you have bunions, the expert podiatrists at United Foot & Ankle, with locations in East Brunswick, Somerset, Keyport, Perth Amboy, and Bayonne, New Jersey, can help. Get started on your personalized bunion treatment plan by booking an exam online—conservative and surgical options are available. You can also call any office to speak with a team member directly.

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What causes bunions?

Bunions are easily recognizable: They’re an inflamed, red bump at the base of your big toe. But why did they form? Several factors lead to bunion development, and yes, footwear is sometimes to blame.

As an example, if you like to wear high heels or snug shoes all day for work, you wind up with added pressure on your forefoot. Your big toe can’t rest in its usual position, and instead, it gets shoved either over or under your smaller toes.

If your big toe has to stay in this position regularly, your toe joint starts to change shape. Connective tissues and bones adjust to keep your big toe in this abnormal crooked position.

Ill-fitting shoes aren’t the only bunion-causing problem, though your genetics could increase your risk. If you inherited flat feet, high arches, or unstable joints, your chance of bunions is higher.

It’s even possible to develop bunions because of arthritic deterioration or because of injury. In any case, bunions aren’t something you should ignore.

Do I need to see a podiatrist for bunions?

Yes! Without proper medical intervention, bunions progress, and worsen over time. Not only are bunions painful, but you may change the way you walk, which can lead to secondary pain issues, including ankle, knee, or lower back pain.

The compassionate podiatric providers at United Foot & Ankle encourage you to schedule a bunion exam, even if your bunions don’t cause you too many problems (yet). They spend time evaluating your toe joint, taking X-rays, and talking with you about your symptoms, which may include:

  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Redness
  • Inflammation
  • Difficulty walking
  • Corns and calluses

No matter how minor or how severe your bunion discomfort may be, the team at United Foot & Ankle is available to help.

Is there effective bunion treatment?

Absolutely. Bunion pain is never something you have to learn to live with. United Foot & Ankle provides surgical and nonsurgical treatments depending on the severity of your condition. Your podiatrist may recommend:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Targeted stretching exercises
  • Corn or callus removal
  • Specialized padding
  • Custom orthotics
  • Regular icing

Of course, conservative bunion treatments aren’t always enough, and sometimes surgery is truly the best option. But you have access to a team of board-certified podiatrists at United Foot & Ankle who specialize in comprehensive forefoot surgical procedures and minimally invasive bunion correction (bunionectomy). You can expect effective relief, no matter which bunion treatment is right for you.

Before your bunion pain worsens any further, contact United Foot & Ankle to get started on treatment. Schedule online or call any office to speak with a team member.