Detecting Early Signs of a Bunions

With changes from summer to autumn footwear, at Goldsmith Podiatry we know that our Manhattan patients may notice that their feet feel a little “cramped” in the more confining styles of the season. If you notice discomfort at the base of your big toe, however, it may be the first stages of a bunion developing.

Bunions 101

A bunion is a toe deformity caused by a defect in the bony structure of your feet. Bunions often run in the family because the biomechanical issue that causes the defect is often passed on genetically. Bunions are also more common in people with certain foot conditions, such as flat feet and arthritis.

A bunion forms a bump at the base of the big toe joint because the toe bone moves out of place towards the other toes. As the bunion progresses, the joint moves further out of place, increasing the size of the bump and sometimes even overlapping the second toe if left untreated.

Watch for These Symptoms

A bunion develops well before the bony enlargement is visible on the foot. Some early signs that a bunion may be forming include:

  • Tenderness or pain in the big toe—especially when wearing shoes that are tight or have narrow toe boxes

  • Swelling and inflammation at the joint

  • A feeling of heat around the base of the toe

  • Stiffness

  • Decreased range of motion of the big toe

You may also begin to visually observe that your big toe appears to be leaning towards the other toes and that your shoes are starting to feel uncomfortable.

Seek Treatment Early

Since the early stages of a bunion are often not painful, many patients tend to ignore them. This is a mistake! Bunions can progress to the point where shoes and even walking become difficult. Although it’s impossible to eliminate a bunion without surgery, much can be done to slow the progression of one and control it so you can live comfortably without surgery.

Contact our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 to schedule an appointment with our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff, today if you suspect you may have a bunion developing and learn about the best conservative treatment options.

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