Bunions

How can I tell if the bump I have is a bunion?

The best way to know if growth or bump on your foot is a bunion or if it’s something else is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Esther Lyon, DPM. Early evaluation and treatment go a long way in preventing troublesome complications down the line.

Some signs you may have a bunion include:

• Your big toe is starting to move inward
• You have a bump at the base of your big toe (MTP joint)
• You feel joint pain or pressure around your big toe
• You’re experiencing swelling, redness, inflammation, or soreness at the big toe joint
• You’re starting to get corns or calluses
• It’s getting harder to walk or find your balance

You may also notice that the skin around or near the big toe joint or your big toe is sensitive to the touch.

Why do I have bunions?

People develop bunions for a number of reasons. But if you have a family history of bunions, the odds are greater that you’ll get them, too. Other risk factors that increase the chances of developing bunions include:
• Having hypermobile feet
• Sustaining a foot injury
• Having flat feet
• Putting your feet under repetitive stress, for example soccer players, ballet, dancers

Bunions may also develop as the result of some neurological disorders, and women with a history of wearing high-heeled shoes may also increase their risk of developing bunions since these shoes make the underlying structural issue worse.

How can custom orthotics help stop my bunions from growing?

Bunions don’t disappear on their own. They remain in place unless removed surgically. But by taking early action when you first notice the development of a bunion, Dr.Lyon can help prevent further progression.

Custom orthotics offer a non-invasive treatment that may make it possible for you to avoid bunion surgery while reducing your pain and restoring foot function. These individually tailored shoe inserts are designed to improve your balance and alignment by dispersing weight and pressure more evenly.

Because custom orthotics keep your feet in proper alignment, they help prevent further structural damage and provide relief from bunion pain at the same time they stop your bunions from getting worse.

To ensure your custom orthotics work optimally, Dr. Lyon and the team at Foot & Ankle Clinics, LLC conduct a physical exam and evaluate your overall foot health. This helps ensure your customized treatment plan meets all your foot care needs.

If custom orthotics are the right solution for your bunions, Dr. Lyon creates an exact mold/cast of your feet so the contours of the orthotic will support your foot in the right places to help prevent your bunions from growing without putting extra pressure on any other areas of your feet.

How can I get custom orthotics for bunions?

If you have a bunion or suspect one is developing, don’t wait to schedule a consultation with your podiatrist. Besides evaluating your bunion, Dr. Lyon also looks for any additional underlying issues with the structure of your feet and helps you improve your foot mechanics.