Bunion Surgery & Treatment in Bartlett, IL
About Bunions
Bunions are a common problem that most individuals experience as a painful swelling or a bony protuberance at the inner base of the big toe. This condition is the result of a malalignment of the first toe. These can be hereditary or secondary to wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes with a narrow toe box.
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What are Bunions? How and Why They Happen
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place, causing the tip of your big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes. This forces the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore. Most bunions happen due to pressure on the big toe joint.
Common causes include wearing tight, narrow shoes or high heels that crowd your toes. Factors like an inherited foot type, foot stress or injuries, and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also contribute to the development of bunions.
Foot & Ankle Specialists at BOS
Meet the podiatric foot and ankle surgeons who diagnose and treat bunions, from conservative care to bunionectomy surgery for patients across the Barrington Orthopedic Specialists network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Bunions?+
This condition is the result of a malalignment of the first toe. Bunions can be hereditary or secondary to wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes with a narrow toe box.
What Are The Symptoms of Bunions?+
Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and abnormal positioning of the first toe. The technical term for bunions is “hallux valgus” (HV). This refers to the first toe (hallux) moving away from the middle of the foot and twisting so that the inside edge touches the ground while the outside edge turns upward.
If left untreated, bunions can worsen over time, leading to considerable difficulty in walking, discomfort, and skin problems such as corns. In some cases, a small bursa (fluid-filled sac) near the joint becomes inflamed, a condition known as bursitis, which can cause additional redness, swelling, and pain.
Less frequently, bunions occur at the base of the fifth toe. When this occurs, it is called a bunionette.
What Are The Nonsurgical Treatment Options For Bunions?+
Unless the underlying causes of bunions are eliminated, they will only worsen over time. Nonsurgical treatment focuses on relieving pain and pressure on the joint, and may include:
- Wearing properly fitting shoes with a wide toe box
- Using custom orthotics or shoe inserts
- Applying ice packs to reduce swelling and pain
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief
What Are The Surgical Treatment Options For Bunions?+
In cases of severe discomfort, a surgical procedure known as a bunionectomy may be performed. The amount of the deformity will determine the surgical technique prescribed.
In the case of small bunions, the bothersome bump may only require shaving to repair the soft tissue in the big toe joint. However, bunions that cause severe pain or discomfort usually require more correction than shaving provides.
For more severe cases, the most commonly recommended procedure involves breaking and realigning the metatarsal bone to decrease the toe’s angle of deviation. The repositioned bones are then stabilized with screws, pins, plates, or wires.
How Can I Schedule Bunion Treatment Near Me?+
We offer the best, least invasive, and least aggressive options to relieve your pain and symptoms so you can get back to the life you love. Barrington Orthopedic Specialists offers 4 convenient locations in Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, and Schaumburg.