Best Bunion Treatment in Waxahachie, Corsicana & Ennis, TX

5-Star-Rated Podiatry Care Offers Relief From Painful Bunions

Your feet bear the brunt of your weight, which makes sense why an overwhelming 77% of Americans suffer from foot pain. If it’s serious enough, it can have a significant impact on your daily life, even if you’re not very active. One of the things that might be causing you pain is a bunion. But what is it, what causes it, and how can you treat it? Let’s answer these questions about bunions and bunion treatment.

Our primary goal is to help you find pain relief as quickly as possible. We have three convenient locations in Waxahachie, Ennis and Corsicana with award-winning podiatrists to help you.

What Exactly Is A Bunion?

A bunion is when your big toe joint develops a bony bump on the side, at the base of the big toe. If you look down at your feet and see a bump at the bottom of your toe, chances are, you have one. This condition often worsens with time and can cause the big toe to slowly move closer to the second toe.  As the deformity progresses, bunion symptoms worsen and the big toe joint becomes reddened, swollen and painful. At this point, the bump is quite noticeable. This can make it difficult to fit the foot into certain shoes without causing the bump from becoming inflamed.

What Causes a Bunion?

Bunions develop when there is too much pressure at the big toe joint. This increased stress on the big toe joint makes it unstable, and it begins to dislocate. This is when the “bump” becomes noticeable.

Some people are more likely to develop bunions than others. Yes, this can be a genetically inherited condition. Actually, the foot shape or foot structure is inherited. This can be seen as a arch that is too high or that is too low. In both types of feet, the big toe joint is placed under too much pressure and can lead to a bunion deformity.

Another common cause of bunions is shoes that put too much pressure on the big toe joint. This can occur if the shoe is too tight, the heel is too high, or if it does not have good support. As we discussed earlier, people who are genetically more prone to develop bunions in the first place, certainly need to avoid these types of shoes.

Lastly, certain medical conditions can cause a person to develop bunions. A condition such as arthritis, most commonly rheumatoid arthritis, can weaken the joint and lead to a bunion. Now that we have discussed the causes of bunions, lets discuss treatment options.

How Are They Diagnosed?

Your Family Foot & Ankle Centers podiatrist can tell if you have a bunion or not by taking a look at your foot and examining the joint. To further analyze the bunion bone structure, an x-ray will be taken. This imaging test will determine how far your big toe has moved and if other bones in your foot are being affected. These digital x-rays are reviewed with you in the exam room to show you the changes in the bones.

Rarely, if your foot specialist thinks that the abnormality in the bone structure of your foot is causing other complications, a MRI may be ordered. This imaging study shows any cysts that may need to be removed and indicates the  level of inflammation.

How Is A Bunion Treated?

At Family Foot & Ankle Centers, our goal is to get your feet healthy and pain-free so you can do the things you love. Treatment for bunions vary from conservative options, to surgery to correct the problem. Below is a list of bunion treatments recommended by our foot specialists.

• Resting your feet– This is the most basic form of treatment. Rest helps relieve pressure from the big toe joint
• Custom orthotics– A custom foot orthotic (shoe insert) is a effective tool to minimize the pressure from the bunion.
• Changing shoes– You might want to change your footwear, especially if you have shoes that squeeze your toes together. This means swapping your high heels for more ergonomic footwear. Wearing shoes with a wide toe box reduces friction on the bunion.
• Padding the bunion– There are special pads made for bunions, but you should consult a podiatrist first, since incorrect usage can worsen the condition.
• Icing- To ease your pain, you can try icing your foot to bring down the swelling and inflammation.
• Anti-inflammatory medication such as Motrin or Naproxen to decrease pain and inflammation
• Cortisone injections (Steroid injections)– Decreases inflammation and often improves motion at the bunion joint

When Is Surgery An Option?

Bunion Surgery is considered if conservative treatment like changing shoes and those mentioned above do not relieve the pain, surgery becomes an option.  Our team of foot doctors at Family Foot & Ankle Centers are trained in all aspects and techniques of bunion  surgery. The type of surgical procedure will depend on the severity of the bunion deformity. There are multiple types of surgeries that can be performed. Some of the procedures allow you to walk on the foot immediately and some require no weight bearing for 6 weeks. Again, it just depends on your bunion and your foot type.

Every bunion needs a custom treatment plan. Our podiatrist will take the time to listen to you, x-ray your foot and discuss options available to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible. At Family Foot & Ankle Centers, we are improving lives, one bunion at a time!

How Do You Prevent Them?

Because bunions develop over a period of years, you can still reduce your chances of getting an this abnormal bone structure. Here is some tips to try to prevent developing this painful condition:

• Always pay attention for changes in the shape and size of your feet. This is especially important if bunions run in your family
• Practice feet exercises to keep them strong. Try picking up small objects from the floor with your toes, such as a napkin or a pencil to increase foot strength
• Do not cramp or squeeze your toes. This is important for shoes and socks/stockings.
• Avoid wearing shoes that don’t fit you properly. Do not attempt to “break in” shoes when they are not comfortable
• Avoid shoes with heels greater than 1 1/2 inches or with pointed toes

Tailor’s Bunion

Our podiatrists can also help with your tailor’s bunion, also known as a bunionette. Similar to a regular bunion, it’s the 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. The deformity received its name centuries ago when tailors sat cross-legged all day with the outside edge of their feet rubbing on the ground. This constant rubbing led to a painful bump at the base of the little toe.

Diagnosis of a Tailor’s Bunion

Tailor’s bunion is easily diagnosed because the protrusion is visually apparent. X-rays may be ordered to help the foot and ankle surgeon determine the cause and extent of the deformity.

Treatment Options

• Shoe modifications
• Padding
• Oral medications
• Icing
• Injection therapy
• Custom orthotics

Experience Our Award-Winning Bunion Treatment in Waxahachie, Corsicana & Ennis, TX Today!

Luckily, this condition is very common and new treatment options have made it easier to treat.  If you’re seeking exceptional care – and relief – from bunions, we can help you get better!

Schedule an appointment today to have your bunion evaluated by calling us at 972-597-4132 or by clicking here to use our convenient online form. We offer same-day appointments and have bilingual Spanish-speaking professionals on staff for your convenience. During your appointment, our team will be happy to answer all your questions about our treatments, our office, our flexible payment options, and anything else you may want to know about us! Call today – we can’t wait to help you live your life pain-free!

As the premier podiatry centers in Waxahachie, Corsicana and Ennis, TX, our foot doctors and team at Family Foot & Ankle Centers also provide 5-star podiatry care to patients in our surrounding areas.  We proudly serve patients in Navarro and Ellis counties and surrounding areas including Red Oak, Midlothian, Desoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Arlington and Mansfield. The Foot Specialists at Family Foot & Ankle Centers are improving lives one foot at a time.