Bunions Specialist

What is a bunion?

Bunions are bony protrusions at the base of your big toe joint. These bony bumps are linked to hallux valgus. This condition occurs when the big toe is pushed toward your other toes, and the joint drifts outward.

Bunions range in size from small to large and may cause severe pain. Bunions don’t happen overnight; they’re a progressive disorder that continues to get worse if you don’t get the proper treatment.

What causes bunions?

The exact cause of bunions isn’t completely understood. There does seem to be a genetic component, meaning inherited bone structures can lead to bunions.

Stress on or injuries to your big toe are also risk factors in developing bunions. Some other factors that play into your risk of developing bunions include:

• Wearing high heels
• Tight or narrow shoes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Charcot-Marie Tooth disease

Heredity is probably the biggest risk factor for developing bunions. If you’re at risk, taking steps to prevent bunions reduces your chances of them later on.

What are the symptoms of bunions?

The most noticeable symptom of a bunion is a bony protrusion on the outside of your big toe. Your big toe may also look like it’s leaning inward toward your other toes. Other tell-tale symptoms include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Corn or calluses
• Stiffness of the big toe

Stiffness in your big toe makes moving the toe and your foot difficult. This leads to problems walking and standing on the affected area.

How are bunions treated?

Mild cases of bunions only require periodic follow-up and imaging by Dr. Guan. If you follow prevention strategies, you can slow the progression of the deformity.

In other cases, you may need non-surgical treatment to control the symptoms of the bunion. These treatments include:

• Ice
• Activity modification
• Properly-fitted shoes
• Orthotic devices
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroid injections

In many cases, these treatments are enough to relieve pain and mobility problems associated with the bunion. 

If your pain persists or the bunion is interfering with your activities, Dr. Guan recommends surgical treatment. Surgery fixes the deformity itself, which often resolves pain and normal motion within the big toe and foot.

If you’re dealing with bunion pain and need expert care, call the office in San Jose today to book an appointment with Dr. Guan. You can also schedule a consultation on the website using the convenient online scheduling feature.