Bunions

A painful bump on the side of your big toe may be your first warning sign of a bunion. At Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, Joel Segalman, DPM, FACFAS, FACFAO, and Stephen Lazaroff, DPM, FACFAS, specialize in nonsurgical therapies and bunion surgery. They use minimally invasive techniques to restore the alignment of your toe joint. Call the office in Newtown or Waterbury, Connecticut, to schedule a consultation for bunions or book an appointment online today.

What are bunions?

Bunions describe a painful bump that forms near the joint of your big toe. The bump develops when the bones of the front of your foot move out of place, and the tip of your big toe bends toward your other toes.

If your big toe pushes too far, it can cause deformities in your other toes, a condition known as hammertoes.

Genetic factors are the most common cause of bunions. Your risk for developing painful bunions also increases if you wear shoes that are too tight or if you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

When should I seek treatment for bunions?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC if you have a noticeable bump on the side of your big toe or symptoms like:

• Toe pain
• Redness
• Swelling
• Calluses
• Difficulty walking

The foot specialists examine your toe joint to confirm a bunion. They may also request X-rays or other diagnostic testing to get a closer look at your big toe joint.

Based on the results of your testing, the providers customize a treatment plan to relieve your pain and address the source of the bunion.

How are bunions treated?

In the early stages of a bunion, the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC providers may recommend nonsurgical treatments to increase your comfort. That might include:

• Padding
• Orthotic shoe inserts
• Ice therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications

If these treatments aren’t enough to relieve your pain or if you have severe swelling in your big toe, you may need surgery.

The experienced foot surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to remove swollen tissue around your joint and part of the bone, if necessary. They also realign the bones to straighten your big toe. If your bunions cause hammertoe, your surgeon can also correct the alignment of bones in your other toes.

How long does it take to recover from bunion surgery?

Following bunion surgery, it can take several weeks for your incisions to heal, but you can expect to start walking on your foot right away. 

You should wear wide shoes that have plenty of room for your toes. The providers may also recommend shoe inserts or other orthotics to keep pressure off your big toe joint.

Call the Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC, office near you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for painful bunions or book an appointment online today.