About The Cause & Treatment Methods For A Painful Bunion

About Me
Foot Pain: Why Quick Treatment Matters

I've never been one to call a doctor with minor ailments. While that sounds good on the surface, it can mean that a condition gets so bad that professional treatment becomes necessary. That is why I found myself in the office of a local podiatrist last year. It started with a pain in my right heel. I tried all sorts of over the counter products and nothing helped. When the pain got bad enough to keep me awake at night, I finally sought medical help. After months of suffering, it took nothing more than a minor procedure to take care of the problem. If you have pain in the feet, ankles, legs, or knees, don't waste time trying home remedies. See a podiatrist today. I'm betting that the professional can get rid of your pain quickly and save you weeks of suffering.

About The Cause & Treatment Methods For A Painful Bunion

29 July 2015
 Categories: , Blog

Do you try to avoid wearing shoes as much as possible because your big toe is always in pain? It may be time for you to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, as the problem can stem from your toe having a bunion on it. In this article, learn what you should know about having a bunion and getting it treated.

What Causes a Painful Bunion to Develop on a Big Toe?

A bunion develops when the joint in your toe becomes inflamed and is left untreated for a long time. Basically, the pain from the bunion is due to a growth on a joint that presses against your shoes. It may have developed because you don't wear the right shoes to comfortably fit your feet. Wearing high heels with a pointed toe area can also lead to bunions developing, as the heels force your feet into an awkward position.

You can also get bunions by inheriting the condition from relatives, such as if your family has a history of abnormal growths on their toes. If you have arthritis, it may also be the reason you have a bunion on your toe. Arthritis can automatically make a bunion more painful, but the pain can be reduced if you get the bunion treated by a podiatrist.

What Can a Podiatrist Do to Treat a Painful Bunion?

After giving you an x-ray to find out how severe the bunion is, a podiatrist can use multiple different methods to treat it. A large bunion is likely to be treated by undergoing toe surgery. The podiatrist will have to remove part of the bone in your toe in order to reposition it. Some of the inflamed tissue surrounding the affected joint will also be removed during surgery.

A minor bunion may be treated by way of a cortisone injection into the inflamed joint. The injection can help get rid of the inflammation in your toe, which will lead to pain relief. The podiatrist may also suggest that you wear orthotic shoes after receiving the cortisone injection. Orthotic shoes are designed to provide more room for comfort than regular shoes. You will also have more cushioning on the inside to protect your toes.

You don't have to live with the pain of a bunion on your big toe. Make an appointment with a podiatrist and get your bunion treated so that you can begin to enjoy wearing shoes again. For more information, contact a professional like those at Aboite Podiatry Associates PC.