Treat Your Bunions With Us

It's hard to get through the day without pain if you have bunions. Since bunions don't get better on their own, a visit to the podiatrist is a must if you suffer from bunion pain. Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC, your podiatrists in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ, explain how bunions form and what you can do to relieve your pain.

What are bunions?

A bunion is a bump at the base of your big toe that forms when your bones move out of alignment. The bump develops when your big toe starts to lean toward your other toes. Since bunions often develop after years of wearing high heels or tight shoes, they're particularly common in women.

What are bunion symptoms?

In addition to pain, several other symptoms can occur if you have a bunion, including:

• Restricted movement in your big toe
• Numbness
• Calluses or corns where the big toe rubs against the second toe
• Swelling, redness, or a burning sensation over the bunion

What can I do about bunion pain?

Tight shoes press on bunions, making pain worse and causing corns and calluses. Choose footwear with plenty of room in the toe box area, and avoid wearing high heels or very tight shoes. Pain tends to get worse the longer you're on your feet, so try to avoid activities that require standing for long periods. Bunion pads help cushion bunions and reduce friction and rubbing from shoes. When pain does occur, apply ice to the bunion and take an over-the-counter pain medication.

What type of treatments do podiatrists offer?

Your foot doctor may recommend custom-made orthotics or arch supports if pain interferes with your normal activities. These products help redistribute your weight over your entire foot and improve alignment, reducing pain. If the pain is severe, your podiatrist may recommend surgery. During bunion surgery, tissue and bone are removed, and the joint is moved into the proper alignment. After you recover, it's important to make good footwear choices to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

Tired of living with bunion pain? Call Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists, LLC, your podiatrists in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ, at (856) 488-5290 (Pennsauken) or (856) 875-8855 (Turnersville) and schedule an appointment today.