If you notice a lump on the side of your big toe where the joint is, you may think that it’s nothing more than just some normal swelling. While the bump itself may not hurt, pain can develop in the toe’s joint and cause the toe to angle inward, and it can even overlap with the second toe. While you can sometimes treat bunions by yourself, for severe deformities or issues with pain, you need to seek treatment from a podiatrist.
Causes of Bunions
Sometimes bunions are hereditary, so if your mom or dad had them, you may develop bunions as well. However, many people develop bunions because the shoes they wear are too tight, which is more common with women as they get older than it is with men. If you have arthritis, you may also develop bunions.
Bunions can sometimes cause severe pain because the joint of the big toe carries much of your weight when you walk. Fortunately, bunion treatment in Racine, WI can help alleviate some of the pain, and in some cases, it might even straighten the toe. Minor bunion problems can be treated at home, while more severe cases will need to be treated by a professional foot doctor.
Bunion Treatments
The bunion treatment used will depend on the severity of the bunion problem itself. To alleviate the pressure on bunions, doctors often recommend that women stop wearing tight shoes or those with pointed toes, such as stilettos. They may also suggest wearing bunion pads, which can be found in most pharmacies and drug stores.
If the big toe is angled severely or is overlapping the second toe, the bunion treatment may involve surgery by a podiatrist to correct the deformity. Foot orthotics may help alleviate the pain and/or straighten the toe if it is not severely deformed. If you have pain from bunions and it affects how you walk, you should see a podiatrist to have them treated as soon as possible.
