Are you aware that an average person takes 4,000 to 6000 steps a day? Foot problems may occur due to health problems and injuries related to your daily activities. Women tend to have more foot problems than men, usually due to the wearing of high heels.
A bunion is among the common foot problems that develop at the big toe and may have uncomfortable symptoms that may affect your daily routine. If you are suffering from bunions in Las Vegas, foot specialists at Battle Born Bone & Joint Center may help. Call their offices today to schedule your consultation.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is the malfunction of the big toe. Also known as hallux valgus, the problem is painful and may affect your ability to walk and remain active. Bunions can occur to anyone, though they are usually more common in women.
How to know you have a bunion
When having a bunion, you may experience the following symptoms
- Swelling, redness, and pain around the big toe
- Bulging bump at the base of your big toe
- Restricted movement in the big toe
- Development of calluses at the first and second toe
- Pain that comes and goes
What are the causes of bunions?
There is no exact known cause of bunions. However, bunions may develop due to inherited traits, deformities present at birth, foot stress, and injuries.
Bunions may also be associated with some types of arthritis, especially inflammatory types like rheumatoid arthritis.
Here are the factors that may put you at risk of bunions, including;
- Wearing high heels
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes, such as too tight or too narrow shoes
- Having rheumatoid arthritis
- Inherited foot types
What foot problems occur due to a bunion?
Bunions may cause other foot problems, such as;
- Hammertoe – occurs as an abnormal curve on the middle toe joint.
- Bursitis – involves the pain and inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs in between your toe joints.
- Metatarsalgia – is the pain and inflammation at the ball of your feet.
Diagnosis and treatment of bunions
During your consultation, your doctor carries out a physical exam to identify your bunion. They may also perform an X-ray on your foot for a more thorough diagnosis.
After determining how your bunion is, your provider develops a customized treatment plan to address your needs. Your provider may recommend your treatment depending on the severity of your bunion and the extent of your pain.
Conservative treatments
Some of the treatments to relieve the pain and pressure of your bunions include;
- Wearing comfortable shoes with enough space for your toes
- Applying ice on your bunion to relieve soreness and swelling
- Padding, wearing bunion pads or cushions can help ease your pain
- Medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen can help alleviate your pain
- Shoe inserts can help distribute pressure evenly on your foot, relieving some of your symptoms
- Cortisone injections
If non-surgical procedures do not provide you with the needed relief, your doctor may recommend surgery. Some of the surgical procedures for bunions include;
- Removing the swollen tissue on your big toe
- Straightening your big toe
- Joining the bones of your affected joint
- Realigning one or more bones
Contact a bunion specialist today
If you have bunions that disrupt your peace and normal daily activities, Dr. Granata of Battle Born Bone & Joint Center can help. Contact him today to book your consultation.
