Is walking or standing for long periods of time painful? Do you feel as though your shoes do not fit due to the shape of your feet? If so, you could be suffering from bunions. This common but painful condition affects many people around the world. Luckily, it is a treatable condition. Find out more about bunions and their treatments in the Washington, DC area with help from your doctor at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland in Clinton, Kensington, Silver Spring and Olney, MD.
What are bunions?
A bunion is a bony growth located at the base of your big toe. A bunion located on the smallest toe rather than the big toe is called a bunionette. The bunion’s location causes it to absorb your entire body’s weight with each step, eventually causing severe pain and irritation. Bunions are thought to be caused in part by wearing tight, narrow or high-heeled shoes. However, genetics also play a role in the development of bunions. One does not necessarily inherit the bunion itself, but the type of foot which is prone to their development. Arthritis may also contribute to bunions’ development.
How do I know I have a bunion?
Bunions present themselves as a lump or bump on the inside of your foot. As they grow, bunions cause the big toe to grow toward the smaller toes, causing them to point toward the outside of the foot and overlap. Symptoms of bunions include:
- tenderness or irritation on the bunion itself
- corns or calluses
- pain
- swelling
- thickening of the skin at the base of your toe
- decreased range of motion in the big toe
You should see your doctor at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland if you experience persistent pain, have a visible bump on your toe, find it difficult to find shoes which fit the shape of your feet or if your bunion begins to affect your everyday life.
Bunion Treatment in Clinton, Kensington, Silver Spring and Olney, MD
Mild cases of bunions may require no treatment at all other than to wear more comfortable shoes or using padding inside of the shoe to ease irritation. Your doctor may suggest prescription orthotics to help evenly distribute your body’s weight onto the foot. More severe cases require bunion surgery. This procedure removes the entire bunion itself and realigns the toes to their natural positions. Your doctor can help you determine which treatment is best for you.
For more information on bunions or bunion treatment, please contact Dr. Christopher Farnworth, Dr. Michael Frank and Dr. Marc Goldberg at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland in Clinton, Kensington, Silver Spring and Olney, MD. Call to schedule your foot examination today!