Bunions: Causes, Treatment Options, and When Surgery is Needed

Bunions are sometimes merely a cosmetic issue. However, other times, they're painful and can limit the range of motion in your big toe. You may wonder what Dr. Jason White of Podiatry Solutions of WNY, serving Lockport and Williamsville, NY, and the nearby regions, can do to help. And you may also wonder when surgery is the best course of action.

Causes

As of now, there isn't a definite cause of bunions, though experts believe the following may play a role:

• Genetics
• Foot deformities
• Stress on the foot, particularly the toe joint
• A toe injury 

Wearing tight shoes and high heels may increase your risk, and some types of arthritis might also increase your chances.

Treatment Options

If you're in Lockport, NY, Williamsville, NY, or the surrounding areas, you may visit us if you have one or two bunions. Our physician strives to help you avoid surgery at all costs when possible. 

These conservative measures could include sizing you for custom orthotics to disperse pressure evenly throughout your foot. Ultimately, this will ease pressure on your bunion and lessen your pain overall.

Our podiatrist can recommend shoes that give your toes adequate room to move.

Through exercises, you can improve flexibility in the toe and possibly even help with your toe's alignment. 

Any calluses or corns you develop from the bunion are treatable at our office through a procedure to remove the thickened or hardened skin in that area. Our podiatrist can use a specialized sanding device or another tool, especially for calluses or corns.

When Surgery Is the Best Option

Sometimes, conservative measures aren't enough. You may still have pain, or your toe may not have the same degree of motion it once did. 

Though the appearance might bother you, our podiatrist urges patients to focus on the pain level and the degree to which the bunion affects your toe's range of motion. 

The type of surgery you'll receive will be based on your specific condition. You could need one or more of the following done during your surgery:

• Removing part of the tissue or bone
• Aligning the bone(s) in the toe
• Connecting the toe joint bones
• Inserting pins, plates, or screws to secure the bone

Podiatry Solutions of WNY, serving Lockport and Williamsville, NY, and the neighboring communities, is your source of relief if you suffer from unpleasant foot problems, such as bunions. Dr. White strives to find you a conservative approach whenever possible. With that said, know you're in good hands when surgery is necessary.

Call us:

Williamsville - 716-634-5993

Lockport - 716-434-6601