Do I Have a Bunion?

A bunion is a condition where your toe starts to shift to the outside of your foot. This leads to a big bump that can form on the inside of your toe. Although we are not completely sure what causes the condition, it can result from wearing tight shoes or can be hereditary. This bump can end up causing pain on your foot because it will rub up against your shoe.

Some bunions are very minor and will not cause you any pain and discomfort. For others, it is important because you can have so much pain that it causes you to not be able to wear any shoes other than flip flops because they won’t push against your foot.

So, what can we do about the condition? First off we can try to pad the bunion so that it won’t hurt you. This can be done by putting a padded sleeve over your bunion bump and keep it from pushing against the side of your shoe. You can also take pain medications so that you can reduce the pain of the bunion. You can also try to wear wider shoes so that it won’t push against the sides of your shoe.

If none of these treatments work, surgery is a possibility that can give you relief. The surgery can work to remove the bump on your toe and relieve the pressure. Surgery is a big deal because it opens you up to infection and the bunion can sometimes return. That is why it is very important to exhaust all conservative treatments before considering surgery.

If you have been having trouble with a bunion, you should come and see your podiatrist so that the best form of treatment can be considered for you. If you live in the Dracut or Chelmsford, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help determine the best form of treatment for you. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.