If you’ve noticed changes in the shape of the outlines of one or both feet, you might have bunions. This issue affects many Brooklyn, New York, residents and is a frequent complaint among patients of Artisan Podiatry.
Fortunately, Shazia Amar, DPM, can help treat bunions, which can also reduce your risk of developing additional foot health problems related to bunions.
So let’s take a look at how bunions develop, the issues that can eventually lead to them, and when to seek treatment for this common podiatric health issue.
A bunion is the name for a common joint deformity that develops at the base of your big toe. This is your metatarsophalangeal joint, where the base of the big toe meets the foot.
Bunions happen when some of the bones in the front area of your foot shift out of position. This causes your big toe to get pulled in the direction of your smaller toes, and creates a bony protrusion on the inner edge of your foot.
Bunions can cause swelling, discomfort, stiffness, thickened skin, or skin discoloration near the affected joint. They also create a distinct change in the shape of your foot, which can make it uncomfortable to wear certain shoes.
A number of different things can cause bunions. Some people seem to have a genetic predisposition to this type of foot deformity. For others, years of wearing shoes that crowd the front portion of your foot is the likely culprit. Health problems like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can also cause or worsen bunions.
One of the first things most people notice when they develop bunions is the changes that happen in the skin near the joint. Calluses will often develop as your body tries to protect against the increased friction bunions cause. Calluses can be painful and make it hard to comfortably stay active.
Bunions can also place strain on your second toe, eventually causing it to bend under or over your big toe. This abnormal positioning can be uncomfortable as corns and calluses develop. Over time, the second toe can develop a condition known as hammertoe, creating one more cause for concern.
Bunions can also change the distribution of weight across the bottom of your foot. Because of the relatively small surface area of the foot and the disproportionate work your feet do to keep you mobile, even small changes can cause serious problems with foot mechanics and mobility.
If you notice a bunion developing, which most often begins with a bulging bony protrusion at the base of the big toe, the best thing to do is to reach out to Artisan Podiatry to schedule an in-office visit.
Bunions are easy to diagnose, and there are several treatment options. For mild joint displacement, you may only need to change your footwear choices and perform some simple at-home physical therapy exercises to realign the joint.
Custom orthotics can help, as can self-care efforts like icing the area. Corticosteroid treatments can help manage inflammation in the area, and over-the-counter pain medication is often all that’s needed to manage breakthrough pain.
In some cases, surgery is the only way to realign the damaged joint. Most procedures are done using minimally invasive techniques.
If you’re concerned about bunions, the team at Artisan Podiatry is standing by to assist. Booking a visit is a fast and simple process, whether you choose to connect with our office online or over the phone.
