Bunions
Posted: July 10, 2017 11:01 am
Did you know??? Your big toe joint carries 60% of the body’s weight while walking. Are you suffering from the following symptoms: a firm bump on the outside of the foot at the base of the big toe, swelling, redness, or pain, restricted motion of the big toe? A common misconception is that a bunions is a growth instead; they are the result of misalignment of the metatarsal phalangeal, a.k.a. the big toe joint. When the joint becomes misaligned, the big toe drifts inward toward the other toes. That causes the bone at the base of the toe to jut out, forming a bony knob on the foot. Bunions affect women much more than men. Facts: Without treatment, bunions will get worse.
If you have a bunion that is not causing you pain, it is very important to take action now before it gets worse. Over time, bunions can become larger and more painful. They can also start making it very difficult to find shoes that fit correctly.
Conservative treatment plans include taping and padding the bunions to release stress on the toe joint and reduce pain. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend the use of anti-inflammatory medications and cold packs that will help reduce inflammation. A local injection of cortisone at the base of the big toe helps to further reduce inflammation. Orthotics offer relief to many patients.
A Tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe. The metatarsals are the five long bones of the foot. The prominence that characterizes a tailor’s bunion occurs at the metatarsal “head,” located at the far end of the bone where it meets the toe. Fun Facts: It is sometimes referred to as a tailor’s bunion because tailors once sat cross-legged all day with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on the ground.
During your visit you will experience a complete foot check that includes looking for skin melanomas which can occur due to sun exposure. We offer same day scheduling for your convenience. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.
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