Our Services / Bunions

What are bunions?

Bunions are bony growths that can occur on the side of your big or little toes. The two types of bunions are: 

Big toe bunions

Most bunions affect the joint at the base of the big toe. As the bunion develops, the two bones that make up the joint move apart and push out from the side of the toe, creating the bony bump. The big toe tilts towards the other toes on the foot, sometimes even resting atop the toe next to it.  

Tailor’s bunions

Tailor’s bunions, a less-common type of bunion, affect the fifth metatarsal bone — the long bone that connects to your little toe. With a tailor’s bunion, the head of the metatarsal (where the bone connects to the toe) pushes out from the toe bone and creates a bony bump on the side of the little toe. Tailor’s bunions are far smaller than bunions in the big toe but can be equally irritating.

If you have a bunion, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and seek appropriate medical treatment early because it can prevent the issue from worsening. 

What symptoms do bunions cause?

Bunions can be very uncomfortable, typically causing problems such as:

• Discomfort or pain 
• Joint stiffness
• Swelling
• Skin reddening above the joint 
• Corns or calluses above the joint 
• Severe irritation when wearing shoes with enclosed tops

A severe bunion can inhibit your ability to walk. Many people with bunions change their walking patterns slightly to try and shift pressure off the painful joint. 

Unfortunately, changing walking patterns can cause other bones and tissues in your feet to move out of their proper positions and may lead to other problems in your foot. Untreated bunions can also lead to arthritis.  

How are bunions treated?

Bunion treatment depends upon the severity of the bunion and how the symptoms affect your life. 

In general, treatment for mild bunions usually includes conservative measures, such as icing, oral medication, custom orthotics, padding, taping, and possibly corticosteroid injections. 

These treatments can prevent the bunion from growing larger but can’t move your bones back into place.

Surgery can realign the bones, remove the bony bump, and restore normal balance of the tendons, muscles, and other tissues in your foot. The Columbus Foot & Ankle, P.C. team has considerable experience in both nonsurgical and surgical bunion treatment, so they’ll recommend the best solution for you.

To learn more about bunion treatment, call Columbus Foot & Ankle, P.C., or click on the provided booking tool now.