An imbalance in the muscles that attach to this joint begins to pull the big toe towards the other toes. As the toe is pulled over, the metatarsal (the long bone behind the toe) pushes against the joint and forces it to stick out, creating a protrusion.
Bunions are often hereditary and are not typically caused by shoes. However, wearing narrow or pointed-toe shoes can make your symptoms worse.
Other causes of bunions include continuous stress on the foot or medical conditions like arthritis. Your foot and ankle surgeon will likely order an X-ray to get a better look at your foot bones.
A podiatrist will try to treat your bunion with a non-surgical solution that might include wearing wider shoes to take the pressure off your bunion and avoiding activities that cause bunion pain. To reduce inflammation and discomfort, the doctor will recommend icing the area several times a day, as well as taking NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen.
Some people find that a shoe insert, called an orthotic, can reduce the pain and other symptoms of bunions.
If non-surgical treatments are unable to relieve bunion pain, your podiatrist will discuss whether or not surgery is an option for you. Surgery will correct the deformity and relieve pain. Choosing a procedure depends on the severity of your deformity, age, activity, X-ray findings, and other factors. The recovery period depends on the procedure performed.
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