At Foot & Ankle Surgery of New Braunfels, Dr. Brandon James and Dr. Sarah James are here to help with all your foot care needs. We can help when you have bunions in New Braunfels, TX. Bunions can be painful and unsightly, but can usually be helped with some conservative, at-home treatment. It's leaving bunions untreated that leads to more complications. Keep reading about bunions and come see us to get back on your feet!
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a bony bump that occurs on the side of the toe when there is uneven weight distribution on the toe joint, usually the big toe. The big toe is forced over towards the other toes and over time this will deform the joint and cause a bunion. Bunions are much more common in women because of footwear that constricts the toes. Some bunions are small and harmless, but bunions can become painful and unsightly as they grow in size.
Treating bunions in New Braunfels, TX
Treating a bunion usually starts with changing your footwear! It's important to see a podiatrist as soon as you notice discomfort in your toe, or any pain, redness, or swelling in the toe joint. Your toes need room to wiggle, so your doctor will advise you to choose footwear with a supportive arch and large toe box. Your podiatrist may also recommend:
- Icing the toe
- Wearing foot orthotics in your shoes
- Anti-inflammatory medications
If more conservative measures don't relieve your pain your podiatrist may recommend surgery to remove the bunion in New Braunfels, TX.
Long-term effects of untreated bunions
When you leave a bunion untreated, it will only increase in size. You can have trouble wearing shoes and walking without pain the bigger the bunion gets. When you have a bunion, it's common for calluses and blisters to form on the other toes that are forced together. The longer you go without treatment, the more likely it is you will suffer permanent deformities to the toes and feet.
If you're concerned about the long-term effects of a bunion, you should be evaluated by a podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Surgery of New Braunfels. To make an appointment with Dr. Brandon James or Dr. Sarah James in New Braunfels, TX, call us at (830) 387-4427.