Does your foot look like the picture above?  Do you have a knot at the bottom of your big toe that seems to be growing?

A bunion is an irregular enlargement of the bone at the base of the great toe.  This causes the great toe to move in the opposite direction toward the lesser toes.  Bunions are progressive, meaning that they can become worse over time.  Women are more affected than men.

Bunions are caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes, flat feet, congenital deformities (abnormal formation of foot bones present at birth), rheumatoid arthritis, trauma and inherited factors.

Conservative (non-surgical) treatment includes a shoe with a wide deep toe box, padding and arch supports.  If the joint becomes inflamed (red, hot, swollen) this is treated with cortisone injection.

For those with persistent pain, surgery is indicated.  This involves removing the bump and realigning the toe.  The goals of surgery are to reduce the deformity, decrease pain and increase function.  Recurrence may occur after surgery, therefore it is important to wear proper shoe gear to reduce the chances of surgical failure.

If you or someone you know is concerned that they may have a bunion, call Foot Care Centers at 856-691-2152 to make a preferred appointment.

 

Tags: growth on big toe, pain, bunion

Do you have areas of thick skin on the bottom of your feet or tops of your toes?  Does this cause pain with walking or pressure from shoes?  Have you tried over-the-counter corn/callus preparations without relief?

If you answered YES to the above, you may be suffering from corns and calluses.  Thickened skin develops in areas where there is increased pressure, for example the ball of the foot or on the top of the toe joints.  The body tries to protect itself by laying down extra skin, but over time the build up can be very painful and even cause difficulty with walking.

At Foot Care Centers, we will perform and thorough exam and explain to the patient WHY they are developing these lesions.  The painful areas will be removed and padding applied to reduce pressure.  Recommendations will also be made for properly fitting shoes.

If you or someone you know is suffering from painful corns and calluses please call 856-691-2152 to make a preferred appointment.

Tags: skin on toes, pain, calluses, callus, corns