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Do you experience pain in your big toe area or with physical activities such as walking or running? A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions form when your big toe pushes up against your other toes, forcing your big toe joint in the opposite direction, away from the normal profile of your foot. Left untreated, walking and other daily activities can trigger extreme pain. With the help of your Houston podiatrist and simple conservative measures, bunion pain may be managed and relieved without surgery. What is a Bunion? A bunion is a prominent bump on the inside of your foot around the big toe joint. Your joint carries a lot of weight while walking, which causes the bunions to be extremely painful if left untreated. The metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), which is where the bunion forms, may become stiff and sore. This can make wearing shoes difficult as well. Some symptoms of bunions include: * Development of a firm bump on the outside edge of the foot
* Redness, swelling, or pain at or near the MTP joint
* Corns or other irritations caused by the overlap of the first and second toes
* Restricted or painful motion of the big toe When the normal balance of forces that are exerted on your joints and tendons are disrupted, a bunion may form. This can lead to a deformity and instability of the joint. Years of abnormal motion and pressure over the MTP joint, bring out bunions, causing them to be a symptom of faulty foot development. Common causes of bunions include:
* High-heeled or ill-fitting shoes
* Inherited foot type
* Foot injuries
* Deformities present at birth Additionally, bunions may be associated with various forms of arthritis, including inflammatory or degenerative forms, causing the protective cartilage that covers your big toe joint to deteriorate. If the nature of your job requires you to put extra stress on your feet, or allows you to wear pointed shoes, this may also contribute to the development of a bunion. Bunion Treatment Treatment for your bunion will vary depending on its severity. Identifying the condition in its early stages is important to avoid surgery. The main objective of early treatment is to relieve pressure and stop the progression of the deformity. Conservative treatments such as padding, modified footwear, or orthotic devices can be highly effective for preventing further growth and reducing pressure and pain. The following are recommended for reducing pressure and pain that is caused by bunions:
* Wear comfortable shoes that don't cramp or irritate your toes
* Avoid high heeled shoes
* Apply ice to reduce inflammation and pain
* Apply padding to your foot to place it in its normal position, reducing stress on the bunion If conventional methods fail to relieve your bunion pain or when the pain of your bunion is affecting your everyday activities, surgery may be needed as directed by your podiatrist. A variety of surgical procedures are available to treat bunions and are designed to remove the "bump" of bone, correct the changes in the bony structure of the foot, and repair soft tissue changes that may also have occurred. Your podiatrist will take into consideration the extent of your deformity based on x-rays, your age, activity level, and other factors. In addition, the length of recovery will vary depending on the procedure or procedures performed. It is important to not ignore foot pain, as it can worsen over time. Protect your feet and seek treatment immediately from your podiatrist in Houston.
Leading podiatrist in Houston, Dr. Gabriel Maislos, is board certified in addition to maintaining several foot and ankle related certifications in an effort to stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in technology. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Gabriel Maislos brings quality podiatric care to a new level, providing care for heel pain, laser toenail fungus, hammertoes and Houston bunions.
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