Bunion Treatments

A bunion is a bump on the outside of the big toe joint. It is a misalignment of the bones in the foot. The bump is noted where your big toe meets the rest of your foot. The bump and deformity can gradually get worse over time making it difficult finding comfortable shoe gear. It also can cause other toes to become deformed when you have a bunion for a long time.

Bunions can occur at any age, starting in childhood. The misalignment can be genetically inherited, meaning someone in your family also had/has a bunion. Specific foot types can predispose you to having a bunion including flat feet which cause the joints to move out of their normal position. Wearing improperly fitting shoe gear can also contribute to a bunion deformity.

 

Bunion Causes:

  • Genetics – foot types are inherited and may predispose individuals to bunion development secondary to biomechanical abnormalities.
  • Long term use of poorly fitting, inappropriate footwear.
  • Joint instability.
  • Neuromuscular conditions
  • Rheumatologic disorders (i.e. inflammatory joint diseases)
  • Injury
  • Congenital deformities

 

Bunion Symptoms:

  • Abnormal bump to the side of the foot, which can grow larger.
  • Pain and tenderness at the bump or great toe.
  • Stiffness or restricted motion at the great toe joint.
  • Inflammation and redness.
  • Painful pressure of the great toe against the adjacent or second toe.
  • Callus or thickening of skin on the side of the foot or near the bunion.
  • Pain and swelling that can affect how the big toe joint moves and how you walk.

 

Tips to Help Manage Bunion Pain:

  • Purchase appropriately sized footwear, preferably those with a deep and wide toe box. Shop at a store with well trained staff that have the ability to correctly measure your feet. It is recommended to have your feet measured regularly.
  • Avoid high heeled shoes – these will likely put more pressure against the bunion.
  • Offload the pressure area: use of padding against the bunion is often helpful with pain relief. Make sure the pad is not so large as to cause the shoe to fit tighter, which may be painful.
  • Inserts or custom orthotics can be used in shoe gear to help the foot function properly and can slow the progression of the deformity.
  • Use of toe spacers may relieve pressure against the bunion as well as between the 1st and 2nd toes.
  • Apply ice to any inflamed areas.
  • If you are able to use over the counter pain medication, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, this may be helpful managing moderate pain. Speak with your podiatrist if pain lasts more than a few days.

If you find that you have a bunion which is causing you pain despite trying the above recommendations it is time to have an evaluation by a podiatrist. It is important not to ignore bunion pain, as it can result in other foot issues.

 

Surgery is the only way to remove the bunion deformity. A thorough exam, evaluation and x-rays are performed to determine the proper procedure that is needed to correct each bunion. Surgery options can include minimally invasive correction, cutting and realigning bones while securing them with screws, plates, etc, or fusing two bones together to remove excess motion or arthritis that may have formed. These procedures all have a different recovery period and will be explained by your surgeon. Contact your local FASMA office to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained specialists.

FASMA Doctors Performing This Specialty / Service

Locations

  1. Shenandoah Podiatry – Roanoke, VA
    60 Summerfield CT #102
    Roanoke, VA 24019
    Phone: 540-904-1458

  2. Chapel Hill, NC
    1506 E. Franklin Street Suite 104
    Chapel Hill, NC 27514
    Phone: 919-960-8858
    Fax: 919-960-2882

  3. Charlottesville, VA (Abbey Road)
    2050 Abbey Road Suite C
    Charlottesville, VA 22911
    Phone: 434-295-4443
    Fax: 434-295-8598

  4. Culpeper, VA
    530 Sunset Lane Suite A
    Culpeper, VA 22701
    Phone: 540-825-6113
    Fax: 540-825-4937

  5. Clarksville, MD
    6100 Day Long Lane Suite 208
    Clarksville, MD 21029
    Phone: 443-535-8770
    Fax: 443-535-8775

  6. Frederick, MD
    63 Thomas Johnson Dr Suite C
    Frederick, MD 21702
    Phone: 301-696-0818
    Fax: 301-696-8872

  7. Palmetto Podiatry Group of Anderson
    2126B N Hwy 81
    Anderson, SC 29621
    Phone: (864) 231-6395
    Fax: (864) 231-6520

  8. Manassas, VA
    8577A Sudley Rd
    Manassas, VA 20110
    Phone: (703) 368-7166
    Fax: (703) 368-5103

  9. Reston, VA (Reston Pkwy)
    1760 Reston Pkwy., Ste 310
    Reston, VA 20190
    Phone: (703) 723-2719
    Fax: (866) 453-6775

  10. Washington, DC (19th Street)
    1145 19th Street NW Suite 605
    Washington, DC 20036
    Phone: 202-833-9109
    Fax: 202-833-5762

  11. Mt Airy, MD (South)
    1502 S. Main Street Suite 307
    Mt Airy, MD 21771
    Phone: 301-829-2244
    Fax: 833-915-0243

  12. Charlotte, NC (South Park)
    6831 Fairview Road A
    Charlotte, NC 28210
    Phone: 704-376-3947
    Fax: 704-376-9487

  13. Ashburn, VA
    20905 Professional Plaza, Ste 310
    Ashburn, VA 20147
    Phone: (703) 723-9267
    Fax: (866) 453-6775

  14. McLean, VA
    1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 403
    McLean, VA 22101
    Phone: (703) 556-8637
    Fax: (866) 453-6775

  15. Reston, VA (Hospital Campus)
    1860 Town Center Drive Suite 220
    Reston, VA 20190
    Phone: 703-391-0211
    Fax: 703-880-1192

  16. Gastonia
    251 Wilmot Dr
    Gastonia, NC 28054
    Phone: 704-861-0425
    Fax: 704-861-0274

  17. Alpine Podiatry – Rock Hill
    430 S. Herlong Avenue, Suite 105
    Rock Hill, SC 29732
    Phone: (803) 327-2217
    Fax: (803) 327-2272

  18. Dunn, NC
    721 Tilghman Drive Suite 300
    Dunn, NC 28334
    Phone: 910-892-3338
    Fax: 910-892-2706

  19. Lake Ridge, VA
    1721 Financial Loop
    Lake Ridge, VA 22192
    Phone: (703) 491-9500
    Fax: (703) 491-9994

  20. Stafford, VA
    945 Garrisonville Road
    Stafford, VA 22554
    Phone: (540) 720-0700
    Fax: (540) 720-4449

  21. Henderson, NC
    451 Ruin Creek Road Suite 202
    Henderson, NC 27536
    Phone: 252-438-4426
    Fax: 252-430-1709

  22. Raleigh, NC (Wake Forest Rd)
    3801 Wake Forest Rd Suite 100
    Raleigh, NC 27609
    Phone: 919-850-9111
    Fax: 919-850-2499

  23. Rockville, MD (North Bethesda)
    11801 Rockville Pike Suite 105
    Rockville, MD 20852
    Phone: 301-881-6222
    Fax: 301-881-1639

  24. Kensington, MD
    10605 Concord Street Suite 300
    Kensington, MD 20895
    Phone: 301-949-2000
    Fax: 301-949-2002

  25. Rockville, MD (Shady Grove Rd)
    15215 Shady Grove Rd Suite 307
    Rockville, MD 20850
    Phone: 240-268-7450
    Fax: 301-949-8833

  26. Silver Spring, MD (International Drive)
    3801 International Drive Suite 204
    Silver Spring, MD 20906
    Phone: 301-598-0130
    Fax: 301-598-5091

  27. Chevy Chase, MD
    5530 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 945
    Chevy Chase, MD 20815
    Phone: 301-913-5225
    Fax: 301-913-9145

  28. Washington, DC (1775 K Street)
    1775 K Street NW Suite 580
    Washington, DC 20006
    Phone: 202-331-9727
    Fax: 202-887-0741

  29. Concord, NC
    492 Copperfield Blvd NE
    Concord, NC 28025
    Phone: 704-788-9797
    Fax: 704-788-6830

  30. University, NC
    8310 Medical Plaza Drive Suite E
    Charlotte, NC 28262
    Phone: 704-548-0222
    Fax: 704-548-1157

  31. Silver Spring, MD (Fenton)
    8630 Fenton Street Suite 324
    Silver Spring, MD 20910
    Phone: 301-587-5666
    Fax: 301-589-4479

  32. Ballantyne, NC
    9216 Ardrey Kell Road Suite 100
    Charlotte, NC 28277
    Phone: 704-544-6517
    Fax: 704-544-2988

  33. Greencastle, PA
    50 Eastern Ave Suite 122
    Greencastle, PA 17225
    Phone: 717-643-0795
    Fax: 717-643-0833

  34. Hagerstown, MD
    11110 Medical Campus Road Suite 100
    Hagerstown, MD 21742
    Phone: 301-739-1575
    Fax: 301-739-1578

  35. Gettysburg, PA
    506 W. Middle Street
    Gettysburg, PA 17325
    Phone: 717-778-3338
    Fax: 717-778-3340

  36. Holly Springs, NC
    1004 Werrington Drive, Ste. 300
    Holly Springs, NC 27540
    Phone: 919-850-9111
    Fax: 919-850-2499

  37. Cary, NC
    103 Parkway Office Court Suite 100
    Cary, NC 27518
    Phone: 919-481-3338
    Fax: 919-467-2436

  38. Wake Foot & Ankle – Wake Forest
    833C Wake Forest Business Park
    Wake Forest, NC 27587
    Phone: 919-230-7233

  39. Frederick, MD (Solarex Ct) – CLOSED

    Frederick, MD 21703
    Phone: 301-696-0818
    Fax: 301-696-8872

  40. Alleghany, VA
    1 ARH Lane Suite 101
    Low Moor, VA 24457
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-774-4615

  41. Roanoke, VA
    222 Walnut Avenue SW
    Roanoke , VA 24016
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-343-2457

  42. Salem, VA
    1802 Braeburn Drive Suite A2130
    Salem, VA 24153
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-774-4615

  43. Apex, NC
    1001 Pemberton Hill Road Suite 102
    Apex, NC 27502
    Phone: 919-363-3310
    Fax: 919-363-3370

  44. Private: Benson, NC
    1 Medical Drive
    Benson, NC 27504
    Phone: 919-363-3310
    Fax: 919-363-3370

  45. Matthews, NC
    534 West John St. Suite 100
    Matthews, NC 28105
    Phone: 704-847-9788
    Fax: 704-849-2928

  46. Waxhaw, NC
    323 N. Broome St.
    Waxhaw, NC 28173
    Phone: 704-847-9788
    Fax: 704-849-2928

  47. Lincolnton, NC
    626 Clark Dr.
    Lincolnton, NC 28092
    Phone: 704-847-9788
    Fax: 704-849-2928

  48. Annapolis, MD
    128 Lubrano Drive Suite 301
    Annapolis, MD 21401
    Phone: 410-266-7575
    Fax: 410-266-7366

  49. Pasadena, MD
    8155 Ritchie Highway Suite B
    Pasadena, MD 21122
    Phone: 410-768-5800
    Fax: 410-768-5806

  50. Charlotte, NC (Pineville)
    10370 Park Rd. #100
    Charlotte, NC 28210
    Phone: 704-542-8253

  51. Greenbelt, MD
    7501 Greenway Center Dr Suite 810
    Greenbelt, MD 20770
    Phone: 301-577-4464
    Fax: 301-577-4702

  52. Fairfax, VA (Hamaker Court)
    3020 Hamaker Court Suite 201
    Fairfax, VA 22031
    Phone: 703-207-0073



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    Phone:

  54. Richmond, VA
    1465 Johnston Willis Drive
    Richmond, VA 23235
    Phone: 804-320-3668
    Fax: 844-468-5770

  55. Silver Spring, MD (White Oak)
    2415 Musgrove Road Suite 103
    Silver Spring, MD 20904
    Phone: 301-384-6500
    Fax: 301-384-6670

  56. Alpine Podiatry – Fort Mill
    105 Ben Casey Drive, Suite 133
    Fort Mill, SC 29708
    Phone: (803) 396-8670
    Fax: (803) 396-8657

  57. Huntersville, NC
    16419 Northcross Dr Suite A
    Huntersville, NC 28078
    Phone: 704-987-9585

  58. Harrisburg, PA
    4033 Linglestown Road Suite 1
    Harrisburg, PA 17112
    Phone: 717-651-0000

  59. Hampton, VA
    2210 Executive Drive Suite E
    Hampton, VA 23666
    Phone: 757-896-8800
    Fax: 757-896-8832

  60. Newport News, VA
    754 McGuire Place
    Newport News, VA 23601
    Phone: 757-599-5710
    Fax: 757-591-0552

  61. Mountain Island, NC
    10310 Couloak Drive Suite 200
    Charlotte, NC 28216
    Phone: 704-971-4000
    Fax: 704-971-2379

  62. Mechanicsburg, PA
    2025 Technology Parkway Suite 201
    Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
    Phone: 717-651-0000

  63. Gaithersburg, MD
    702 Russell Avenue, Suite 103 PNC Bank Building
    Gaithersburg, MD 20877
    Phone: (301) 948-3668
    Fax: (301) 926-7787

  64. Newport, PA
    300 Bretz Ct
    Newport, PA 17074
    Phone: 717-651-0000

  65. Martinsville, VA
    1 Dudley Street
    Martinsville, VA 24112
    Phone: 540-344-3668
    Fax: 540-774-4615

  66. Mooresville, NC
    206 Joe Knox Avenue Suite D
    Mooresville, NC 28117
    Phone: 704-235-0474
    Fax: 704-660-3987