Bunions

Up to 1 in 3 Americans have bunions –– large bony bumps that form on the outside edge of the big toe joint. At Mayfair Foot Care in Commack, New York, podiatrists Edward Buro, DPM, Christine Peterson, DPM, and Rosario Saccomanno, DPM, offer conservative, nonsurgical management and surgery to treat bunions of all sizes. Call the office to request a bunion consultation today, or book online.

What are bunions?

A bunion is a swollen bump that forms outside your big toe. It occurs when the bones in your forefoot change position, causing the joint at the base of your big toe to bulge outward. The farther your big toe joint moves out of alignment, the bigger the bunion grows.

What are the symptoms of bunions?

Symptoms of bunions include:

• Difficulty moving your big toe
• Swelling and stiffness
• Calluses, corns, or blisters on the top of your big toe
• Hammertoes
• Numbness

As the bunion grows, you might also have difficulty wearing certain types of shoes, especially those that press your toes together.

What causes bunions?

Several factors cause bunions to form, including your gait (how you walk), the shape of your foot, and your foot mechanics. Your job or the type of shoes you wear may also play a role. For example, you’re more likely to develop a bunion if you stand for long periods or wear shoes that squeeze your toes. 

When should I see a podiatrist for bunions?

Make an appointment at Mayfair Foot Care if you have a swollen bump at the base of your big toe that’s painful or tender to the touch. That’s especially true if the bunion affects your mobility or interferes with your ability to work or exercise.

How are bunions diagnosed?

Your Mayfair Foot Care provider reviews your medical charts, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. They look at your big toe and big toe joint for redness, swelling, or bruising. Your provider gently moves your toe from side to side and checks for corns or calluses. 

They also order X-rays to look at your big toe joint and to check the alignment of the bones in your forefoot.

How are bunions treated?

Mayfair Foot Care recommends conservative, nonsurgical treatments to manage bunions whenever possible, including:

• Bunion pads or taping
• Wearing shoes with wide toe boxes
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Taking over-the-counter pain medicine

If your bunion doesn’t respond to noninvasive treatments, your podiatrist might recommend surgery. During bunion surgery, your podiatrist uses special tools to realign your big toe joint.

Call Mayfair Foot Care to explore the treatment options for bunions today, or book online.