You stand on your feet almost constantly throughout the day. When you were younger, your feet felt fine, but now those long hours on the 
job leave you with an aching, reddened right foot. You notice a bump forming at the base of your big toe. What's happening? Your Amsterdam and Manhattan, NY, podiatrists at Foot Health Podiatry help hundreds of patients just like you have the best functioning and pain-free feet. In your case, Dr. Sorelis Jimenz, Dr. John Fletcher, or Dr. Kamilla Danilova may diagnose and treat a deformity called a bunion. Learn the details here.
The symptoms of bunions
A bunion forms on the inner aspect of the foot at the bottom of the big toe as the metatarsophalangeal joint begins to bulge outward. This happens in response to pressure from standing, running or walking for extended periods or from shoes that are too tight and too high. Heredity, injury and flat arches contribute to bunion formation, too.
Besides the obvious bump, bunions exhibit other symptoms, says the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. Typically, bunions cause:
- Pain when standing or ambulating
- Inflammation
- A burning or numb feeling
- Redness and swelling
Additionally, other complications arise when people ignore their bunions--common deformities such as hammertoes and hallux valgus, where the big toe turns inward toward, and even over, the second and third toes.
Who gets bunions?
Millions of Americans do, particularly in the over 50 age group. Also, the American Podiatric Medical Association says that many more women than men have this foot problem because women's connective tissue is weaker than in their male counterparts and because of poorly fitting shoes. Footwear that is too tight in the toe box or too high in the heel (greater than 2 inches) puts excessive pressure on all the toes, and especially on the big toe.
Treating bunions
Your podiatrist in Amsterdam and Manhattan diagnoses bunions through review of symptoms, physical examination and X-ray imaging. As bunionectomy surgery is usually a last resort, the foot doctor likely will recommend an individualized care plan including these conservative measures:
- Custom-made orthotics (shoe inserts)
- Shoe padding
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Rest, ice and elevation of the foot
- Night time splinting to straighten the joint
- Cortisone injections
- Stretching exercises or other physical therapy
Have healthy feet
Contact the office team at Foot Health Podiatry for a consultation if you suspect you have a bunion. Don't wait. Call your Amsterdam and Manhattan, NY, podiatrist
at (212) 864-2494.