You have questions and we have answers. Below are common questions that Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas receive about bunions at Hampton Roads Foot & Ankle Specialists in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA. Bunions are a common concern that our team of podiatrists care for and will help guide you on the best treatment strategy.
What Is a Bunion?
A bunion involves the dislocation of your big toe joint. This sometimes causes the appearance of a bump on the inside of your foot, at the junction of the big toe and the rest of the foot. This dislocation of the big toe joint causes it to point inward toward the smaller toes. In some cases, a condition known as crossover toe develops where the big toe displaces so much that it lays on top of the second toe.
What Causes Bunions?
The cause of the dislocation of the big toe joint is from years of excess stress placed on the foot. A surprising fact to many people is that ill-fitting shoes are not the cause of bunion development initially. However, wearing shoes that do not fit well can lead to a worsening bunion. The initial cause is the result of poor foot mechanics, anatomically deformed or misshapen feet.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bunion?
The physical abnormality of a bony protrusion, or bump, that develops on the inside of your foot is not the lone symptom of a bunion. Other symptoms can show up with a bunion, such as:
- Corns and callouses
- Pain when straightening the toe
- Inability to wear regular shoes
- Numbness in the big toe
How Is a Bunion Treated?
Surgery to remove the bunion and correct the anatomy of the foot is the most commonly recommended treatment strategy. Known as a bunionectomy, this surgery is usually suggested in more severe cases of bunions in Williamsburg, VA. However, there are conservative, non-surgical steps that you and your podiatrist can take to manage bunions.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Manage My Bunion Without Surgery?
The items listed below may stop or slow down the progression of your bunion. Some recommendations from our podiatrists are:
- Wearing shoes that are roomy in the front, the toe area.
- Shopping for new shoes in the later hours of the day as our feet slightly swell in the evening hours.
- Measure your feet every time you shop for new shoes. Our feet tend to flatten with age. This may require buying a larger-sized shoe.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Wearing custom orthotics in your shoes.
- Both prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication
Contact us
Still have questions about bunions? If so, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with one of our podiatrists Dr. Sara Bouraee, Dr. Jon Houseworth, Dr. Sun Byun, Dr. Daria Piotrowksi, and Dr. Shruti Vyas at Hampton Roads Foot & Ankle Specialists. We will answer any and all questions you may have about treating bunions in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA. Reach us at our Hampton office at (757) 224-7605 or our Williamsburg location at (757) 220-3311.