Learn About Bunion Symptoms and Treatment with Dr. Maraist

Bunion symptoms can be incredibly painful and can affect almost anyone.  The most common bunion is a small area of enlargement around the joint of your big toe, on the outer edge of your foot. While bunions can appear to some to be skin inflammation, the actual root of the problem is abnormal bone growth. Incorrect alignment causes the toe to point inwards, with the bone joint then pushing in the opposite direction. Pain will be felt within the joint, and also around the outside where the skin can become red and raw.

Learning about bunion symptoms and bunion treatment will help you to determine whether it’s time to visit Dr. Maraist Foot and Ankle Center Lafayette, LA.

Key Bunion Symptoms to Look Out For

When a bunion develops on your big toe, the symptoms should be pronounced and easy to spot.

  • A large bump will occur around the outside of your toe, this will become more pronounced as the bunion continues to develop.
  • The bump will be accompanied by red and inflamed skin that can be sore to the touch.
  • Pain may be persistent, but is sometimes intermittent or aggravated by footwear.
  • Hard calluses can develop between your big toe and second toe, due to constant friction.

In some cases, movement of your toe can be restricted. This is especially common if you are suffering from both a bunion and inflammatory arthritis.

When is it Time to See the Doctor?

For some people, bunions can develop and may never cause any major problems. Symptoms may be mild or not present at all. In any case where a bunion is obvious, where redness and inflammation are visible, or where you feel pain, it will be necessary to book an appointment at Dr. Maraist Foot and Ankle Center Lafayette, LA.

Ignoring a bunion or simply treating it with painkillers is not a long-term solution, and could lead to a more severe deformity that will be harder to repair and recover from.

Bunion Treatments Available in Lafayette, Louisiana

Once the condition has been diagnosed through bunion symptoms analysis, physical examination, and sometimes an X-Ray, it will be time for a bunion treatment plan to be put in place.

When the condition is not severe, it’s possible to have bunion treatment without surgery. Rest and wearing appropriate footwear can relieve the pressure on your toes, and will stop any more abnormal bone formation. During this type of passive treatment, anti-inflammatory medication can be used to reduce pain and swelling.

Cortisone injections can also be used to reduce pain in severe cases. Keep in mind that injections alone will not heal bunions, so following other recommendations from Dr. Maraist will be required. Orthotics (shoe inserts) may be prescribed to reduce pain and also to prevent a bunion developing further, and they are sometimes used in cases where a bunion is caused in part by overpronation (flat feet).

When bunion treatment without surgery is not effective, an operation may be required. Correction of bunion symptoms through surgery is known as a bunionectomy. The process involved removing the excess growth of bone and realigning the big toe. Surgery has large rates of success, although there are some cases where the toe can move back to its incorrect position. Follow up consultations, the use of insoles and roomy footwear, and other forms of recommended physical therapy can reduce the chance of surgical failure.

For bunions that have caused hard skin calluses, shaving of the callus may also be recommended. This surgical procedure is quick and effective, with a surgeon simply shaving off excess hard skin from around the bunion. In some cases, calluses can be removed naturally with the use of special pads or salicylic acid treatment. Talk to Dr. Maraist to find out whether bunion callus shaving would be suitable in your case.

Don’t Let Your Bunion Symptoms Become Worse

If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms that we’ve described, then it’s time to visit Dr. Maraist Foot and Ankle Center Lafayette, LA. For bunion treatment. With professional care you can get to the root cause of bunion, relieve the pain of bunion symptoms, and get the best corrective treatment that will have your toe back to its natural state, leaving you free of discomfort.