A bunion is a hard, bony knob on the side of your big toe. Bunions are caused by uneven weight distribution on your toe joint. Over time, your toe joint becomes unstable and your body begins to mold the joint into a hard bump on the side of your toe.
Bunions are much more common in women; in fact, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, over half the women in America experience bunions at some point in their lives. Women often wear shoes that are too narrow and crush the toes. High heels add to the problem by pushing the toes forward.
Bunions can be caused by:
Bunions can result in you not being able to put on your shoes. You may also have trouble walking and doing your daily activities without pain. There are some simple therapies you can try to get relief from your bunion, such as:
For large, painful bunions that don’t respond to conservative therapies, it’s best to see a podiatrist for additional treatment. The podiatrist can inject the area of your bunion with cortisone to reduce swelling and pain.
You may need surgery if your bunion pain gets severe and interferes with your life. The podiatrist may suggest one or more of these surgical procedures:
For more information about painful bunions and bunion treatment, call the experts at Stonestown Podiatry Group in San Francisco. Call today and get some relief from your bunion pain!