Signs And Symptoms Of Bunions

Is that lump on your foot a bunion?

Has your parent been complaining about their bunion? If so, this may be enough for you to start taking a closer look at your own feet. After all, bunions are genetic. If you have a family member with bunions, chances are good that you could develop them too over the years. From the office of our Asheville, NC, board-certified podiatrist Dr. Daniel Waldman, here’s how to tell that you have a bunion.

You have a bony bump at the base of your big toe

This is the most obvious sign of a bunion. While a bunion can occur in any toe joint, it most often impacts the large joint at the base of the big toe. The bump will be small and unnoticeable at first but will continue to get larger if not properly managed.

You notice a callus

Since the bump sticks out, it’s more likely to rub against your shoes and lead to corn or callus. If you notice that there is a callus or hardened skin on the bump this is another sign that you have a bunion.

Your big toe leans inward

If you don’t take care of your feet and you ignore the stages of your bunion, it will continue to progress until you notice more severe changes to the overall structure of your feet. One of the first signs, apart from a bony protrusion, is that the big toe will start to lean inward on the smaller toes. In more severe cases, the big toe may even cross over the other toes.

If you notice a bony bump at the base of your big toe, this is usually how a bunion begins and it’s a good idea to turn to our Asheville, NC, podiatrist to find out how to prevent the bunion from getting worse. It’s much easier to manage a bunion during the earlier stages. Common ways to slow the progression of a bunion include:

  • Wearing properly fitted and supportive footwear
  • Wearing prescription orthotics in your shoes for added support and cushioning
  • Applying a protective bandage over the bunion to prevent friction and the development of a callus
  • Avoiding high heels and shoes with a pointed toe
  • Ice therapy or warm soaks
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to ease pain and swelling

When is surgery necessary?

In most cases, bunion surgery isn’t recommended unless a patient is dealing with significant pain or a large bunion that impacts their daily routine and isn’t properly managed with nonsurgical treatment options. If you’re at this stage, it may be time to talk with our board-certified podiatrist about bunion surgery.

Here at our Asheville, NC, practice, we offer the latest and least invasive surgeries to correct deformities and other foot and ankle problems. Dr. Waldman is a surgical expert, teaching surgery nationally and internationally to other podiatrists. You know you have an expert on your side who will provide you with the best bunion treatment possible when you turn to Blue Ridge Foot Centers.

To contact our office or to schedule an appointment with our team, call us at 828-254-5371 or learn more about our services online.

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