Got a large bump on the edge of your foot? It’s likely a bunion. You might start to notice it more as we move into winter and you wear tighter, closed shoes. Bunions (hallux valgus) are progressive, bony bumps that form on the joint at the base of the big toe, often caused by hereditary foot structure, biomechanical issues, or ill-fitting footwear. A Podiatrist provides non-surgical relief via custom orthotics, taping, padding, and specific exercises to reduce pain and slow progression, offering surgical referrals only if necessary. We also sell Flamingo Feet toe spreaders which are a great bunion treatment option.
How a Podiatrist Can Help (Non-Surgical Focus)
- Biomechanical Assessment: Evaluating how your foot functions to determine the root cause of the pressure.
- Custom Orthotics: Specialized insoles to improve foot posture, reduce pressure on the bunion, and stop it from worsening.
- Footwear Advice: Recommendations for shoes with wider toe boxes to prevent further irritation.
- Exercises & Mobilization: Strengthening and stretching exercises for the toes and feet to improve stability and flexibility.
- Toe Spacers & Splints: Podiatrists can provide silicone toe spacers to wear during the day, or bunion splints designed to stretch and realign the joint while you sleep.
- Taping & Padding: Taping the foot can help keep it in a normal position to reduce stress, while specialized padding (bunion guards) can protect the bony bump from rubbing against your shoes. Our Podiatrists in Thornbury can help find the right Bunion Padding style for you.
- Surgical Referral: If conservative treatments are not effective for pain management, a podiatrist can refer for surgical intervention. Our Foot Surgeon Dr Omar Baarini consults in Thornbury once a month & specialises in bunion surgery.
Common Symptoms
- A firm, bony bump on the edge of the foot at the big toe base.
- Joint pain, swelling, and reduced mobility in the big toe.
- Inflammation and redness.
- Difficulty finding comfortable footwear due to the widening of the foot.
It is recommended to seek expert care from one of our Podiatrists in Thornbury for bunion assessment & treatment early to prevent the deformity from worsening.
Signs You Should See a Podiatrist
You should consider an assessment for Bunions if you experience:
- Persistent pain in your big toe or foot.
- Difficulty finding shoes that fit because of the bump.
- Redness and swelling around the big toe joint.
- Decreased mobility in the big toe.
If surgery is needed, you can make an appointment with Dr Omar Baarini in our Thornbury clinic. Potential solutions could be:
– Injections: For acute flare-ups and intense inflammation, Podiatric surgeons may administer targeted cortisone injections into or around the joint.
– Surgical Correction: If conservative treatments fail or if the bunion becomes severe, specialized Podiatric surgeons can perform a “bunionectomy” (e.g., a metatarsal osteotomy) to physically remove the bump and realign the toe joint.
Bunions are common, often hereditary, and can be painful as well as embarrassing for some. If you think you might have bunions, make an appointment with our Podiatrists in Thornbury today! You can book online or call 9480 4935.