Bunion

About 1 in 3 Americans has a bunion –– a bony growth that forms on the outer edge of the big toe. At Bluestone Podiatry in Slingerlands, New York, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Kurt Relation, DPM, specializes in diagnosing and treating bunions with a variety of conservative and surgical options.

Call Bluestone Podiatry today to schedule a bunion consultation, or book your visit online. 

My big toe is red and swollen. Is it a bunion?

It’s possible. Bunions are hard, swollen bumps that form when the bones in the front of your foot change position due to general wear-and-tear or how you walk. Anyone can develop a bunion, but they’re most common in women and people who wear shoes that crowd the toes.

Bunions tend to worsen over time, so seeking treatment is important. Dr. Relation offers various measures for bunion relief, including cutting-edge Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ surgery.

Does a bunion present symptoms?

Yes. Bunion symptoms include:

• A bulging bump on the outside edge of the big toe
• Swelling, redness, or soreness affecting the big toe joint
• Corns, calluses, or blisters
• Ongoing pain or pain that comes and goes

You might experience a reduced range of motion in your big toe joint as the bunion grows.

Who is at risk of a bunion?

Anyone can experience a bunion, but several factors increase your risk, including wearing high heels or other shoes that crowd your toes or having rheumatoid arthritis.

Bunions can be hereditary. You’re more likely to have one if you have an inherited condition that affects the anatomy of your foot.

How does a board-certified podiatrist diagnose a bunion?

Dr. Relation reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and examines your foot, checking your big toe for swelling and redness.

Bunions can be easy to spot, but Dr. Relation tests your big toe joint’s range of motion and gently presses on the bunion and surrounding skin to identify sensitive areas. He also orders X-rays to assess the alignment of the bones in the front of your foot to determine the best treatment.

How does a board-certified podiatrist treat bunions?

At Bluestone Podiatry, Dr. Relation offers multiple options for bunion treatment, including:

• Wearing roomy, comfortable shoes
• Over-the-counter bunion pads or bunion tape
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Custom orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Icing the bunion several times daily

If conservative measures fail, you may be a surgical candidate. There are many options Dr. Relation will be able to offer you. You might benefit from Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction™ if the above treatments don’t provide relief. With Lapiplasty®, Dr. Relation carefully realigns your big toe joint at the root of the problem. The procedure can be less painful and has a lower risk of recurence than more traditional bunion surgery.

Call us today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online.