Do I Have Bunions?

Do I Have Bunions?

Could bunions be responsible for your foot pain?

There are so many reasons that you could be experiencing foot pain, but if your discomfort is due to bunions then it’s time you visited our Sterling and Alexandria, VA podiatrists Dr. Richard Lee and Dr. Steven Lin to get the care you need. While bunions aren’t typically serious it’s important that you know how to care for your bunion to prevent the problem from getting worse.

What is a bunion?

Take a minute to look at your feet. You should be able to draw a relatively straight line from your heel to the tip of your big toe, but if you have a bunion then you may realize that the joint at the base of your big toe juts out quite a bit. You may even notice that the big toe leans inward toward the rest of your toes.

What are the symptoms of a bunion?

If you’re experiencing foot pain and you’ve noticed this bony lump near your big toe then you may certainly be dealing with a bunion. If this is the case, your next step is to visit one of our Sterling and Alexandria, VA foot doctors to make sure that you do in fact have a bunion. X-rays may also be used to determine whether a bunion is present. Through this thorough physical evaluation, we will be able to come up with a specialized treatment plan to help reduce your symptoms and make living with a bunion more manageable.

What are the treatment options for bunions?

The only way to remove a bunion is through surgery. Of course, the idea of surgery may have many people feeling a bit nervous but we are happy to report that the majority of people with bunions can happily manage their symptoms with simple self-care measures. Sure, you will still have your bunion but unless your bunion is causing you severe pain or affecting your physical activities surgery is a last resort.

Wearing proper footwear that gives your feet room to move (and doesn’t put pressure on your toes), wearing shoe inserts (also known as orthotics), icing or taking over-the-counter pain medications when you notice inflammation or pain, and applying bunion pads to protect your bunion while wearing shoes are all simple measures you can take to make sure your bunion symptoms are under control.

If you are experiencing symptoms that seem related to bunions or you are dealing with foot pain it’s time to turn to our doctors at Alexandria Family Podiatry in Sterling and Alexandria, VA.