Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion (Hallux Valgus) is a common foot ailment that  can be treated by Board Certified Podiatrist, David P. Rosenzweig, DPM, PC, at either his Rye Brook (Westchester County) or Greenwich, Connecticut office.

A bunion is tender or painful swelling of the foot that usually develop on the inner side of the foot near the base of the first toe. A bunion can result from abnormal bone formation in the first metatarsalphalangeal joint (1st toe or "big toe" ) and misalignment of the first toe.  A bunion can be a result of inflammation or to a degenerative disease (e.g., osteoarthritis).

Most likely symptoms of a bunion occur when wearing shoes that crowd the toes — shoes with a tight toe box and / or high heeled shoes. This may explain why women are more likely to get bunions than men. Additionally, spending long periods of time on your feet can aggravate the symptoms of a bunion.



Symptoms, which occur at the site of the bunion, may include:

Red, calloused skin along the foot at the base of the big toe
A bony bump
Pain over the joint, aggravated by pressure from shoes
Big toe turned toward the other toes
Pain or soreness of the foot or toe(s)
Inflammation and redness of the foot or toe(s)
A burning sensation of the foot or toe(s)
Numbness

Other conditions which may appear with bunions include calluses on the big toe, sores between the toes, ingrown toenail, and restricted motion of a toe.

Diagnosis of A Bunion
To properly assess your condition, the Podiatrist, Doctor David P. Rosenzweig, DPM, PC may take x-rays (at either his Rye Brook (Westchester County), New York or Greenwich, Connecticut office) to determine the degree of the deformity of your bunion and evaluate your condition.

It is time to see a foot doctor /  podiatrist if your bunion:

  Continues to cause pain even after self care, such as wearing wide-toed shoes
  Prevents you from doing your usual activities
Has any signs of infection (like redness or swelling), especially if you have diabetes

Bunion Treatment Options

Your bunion treatment options differ depending on the severity of pain and deformity of the bunion. Left untreated, bunions have the tendency to get larger and usually more painful.

Early Bunion Treatment

The objective of early bunion treatment is to alleviate pressure on the bunion and smaller toes, and to diminish the progression of joint deformities.

Padding the bunion is an important initial step, as is wearing shoes that are large enough to comfortably accommodate the bunion.

Medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone injections, may be prescribed by the podiatrist to ease the pain and inflammation.

Physical therapy, ultrasound treatment, whirlpool baths or other techniques may also provide temporary relief.

Shoe inserts (orthotics) may be useful in controlling abnormal foot movement, and may reduce symptoms for those with a painful bunion that has not yet caused a significant bony abnormality at the joint.

Surgical Bunion Treatment

When early bunion treatment does not provide relief from painful symptoms, or when the condition interferes with your activities, surgery may be necessary.

Pain and deformity are significantly lessened in  patients who elect bunion surgery. In addition to easing pain, the purpose of bunion surgery is to remove the enlargement and realign the joint to restore normal function. This means that after bunion surgery, the foot can carry the body’s weight properly, and that special shoes are no longer needed.

Surgery may be performed at a the podiatrist's Rye Brook (Westchester County), New York or Greenwich, Connecticut office suite or a hospital. Depending on the procedure, the facility at which it is performed and the patient’s medical status, the surgeon may choose a local, spinal or general anesthetic. In many cases, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia.

To make an appointment with the Podiatrist, Doctor David P. Rosenzweig, DPM, PC, Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery to treat or diagnosis your bunions, please contact the Podiatrist (Foot Doctor)  at either his Rye Brook (Westchester County), New York or Greenwich, Connecticut office.