A bunion, also known as hallux valgus, is a foot deformity affecting the joint at the base of your big toe. With a bunion, you develop a bony bump on the inside of your foot at the base of the big toe joint — the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.

A bunion is a progressive condition that worsens over time. However, getting care for your bunion during the early stages may prevent or delay the structural changes in your foot that cause the bony bump and pain.

If you have a painful bunion or the start of a bunion, schedule an appointment with the experts at Innovation Medical Group.

A bunion occurs when the bones at the base of your big toe move out of alignment. The bone in your big toe may lean towards the second toe. Over time, the misalignment in the big toe changes the angle of bones in the joint, creating a bony bump.

You may be at greater risk of developing a bunion if they run in your family. An inherited faulty foot structure affecting the mechanics in the foot causes the deformity. 

Wearing high heels or shoes with a small toe box may place more pressure on the bones and accelerate the progression of the bunion. 

When you visit Innovation Medical Group for a bunion evaluation, the team conducts a thorough exam to fully understand your foot condition so they can develop the best treatment plan.

Your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history and examines your feet. Then, they perform imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs to assess the structure of your foot and the severity of the deformity.

Treatment for a bunion depends on the severity of the deformity and your symptoms. During the early stages, the team may recommend a change in shoe wear to reduce pain and progression of the foot deformity.

Other medical treatments for a bunion include:

• Custom-made orthotics
• Foot padding
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Icing
• Steroid injections

If your bunion is severe, the team may recommend surgery to realign the bones in your foot, restoring structure and function and reducing pain.