Bunion Deformity Treatment in New York, NY

A bony bump on the side of your big toe is a form of arthritis. It indicates that deterioration changes are taking place in the joint underneath. The bunion can cause your first toe to push outward against your second toe, resulting in a deformity of one or both toes. While poorly fitting shoes can aggravate bunions, the primary cause is hereditary. Fortunately, bunion deformity treatment can have your feet feeling back to normal. If you think you might be suffering from bunion deformity, schedule a consultation today with one of the skilled doctors at Millennium Podiatry in New York, NY.

The signs and symptoms of a bunion include:

• A bulging bump on the outside of the base of your big toe
• Swelling, redness, or soreness around your big toe joint
• Thickening of the skin at the base of your big toe
• Corns or calluses — these often develop where the first and second toes overlap
• Persistent or intermittent pain
• Restricted movement of your big toe

During a thorough consultation at our New York, NY facility, our skilled podiatry team can talk with you about the best treatment to alleviate your symptoms and effectively treat bunions. 

Conservative treatments such as orthotics (shoe inserts) and injections at the base of the big toe can sometimes temporarily relieve bunion problems, but surgery is often required for definitive treatment. Several surgical procedures can be performed to correct bunion deformities. These are now usually done as an ambulatory procedure, not requiring hospital admission. Some bunion procedures do not even require stitches after the minimal incision.

Following your bunion treatment, you will receive proper aftercare instructions to ensure your best possible results. You may also need to attend follow-up appointments so that your healing can be evaluated. The exact length of your recovery will vary depending on if a more conservative or surgical approach was taken to your treatment. Most patients are able to return to their normal daily routine fairly soon after treatment. 

Can a bunion go away?
Bunions cannot go away without proper treatment. If you suspect you have a bunion, we encourage you to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Over time, your symptoms could become much worse so we recommend receiving treatment to help slow this progressive condition.

Is having a bunion removed painful?
The pain amount will vary for each person. Generally, for the first 3 – 5 days, you may experience some soreness. To help with healing and comfort, our team provides detailed aftercare instructions that help minimize the pain and reduce swelling.

Should I have bunion surgery or not?
Before undergoing bunion surgery, we will try more conservative options first. This usually includes orthotics or injections. For more severe cases that cause chronic pain, you may need surgery to remove the bunion.

Why does my bunion hurt all of a sudden?
Sometimes, the joint can swell, which may cause a cyst with fluid in it (bursa) to develop. It often happens after wearing tight or incorrect shoes. Pain can also occur because of gout, which makes the bunion become inflamed, painful, or swollen. At an appointment with one of our podiatrists or foot doctors, we can help diagnose the underlying condition.

Bunions can cause a number of symptoms that can affect your daily life and movement. Thankfully our team at Millennium Podiatry can provide bunion deformity treatment to help you get back on your feet. Contact us at our Park Avenue facility in New York, NY, to learn more and to schedule your initial consultation.