Did you know bunions are one of the most common foot problems in America? Researches estimate about one-third of American adults have or will develop bunions, a bony protrusion or bump that forms at your metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint where your big toe and foot meet.
When bunions first develop, you may only notice a small sore or bump. Over time, however, as the MTP joint compresses and shifts out of place, bunions can grow into painful, inflamed, swollen protrusions.
Board-certified podiatrist Jennifer Tauber, DPM, and the team at New Canaan Podiatry in New Canaan, Connecticut, specializes in treating bunions. And Dr. Tauber understands that early treatment can prevent your bunions from growing and eventually needing surgical intervention.
Take a moment to learn how one noninvasive treatment — custom orthotics — work to slow or stop bunion growth!
How can I tell if the bump I have is a bunion?
The best way to know if growth or bump on your foot is a bunion or if it’s something else is to schedule an appointment with a board-certified podiatrist, like Dr. Tauber. Early evaluation and treatment go a long way in preventing troublesome complications down the line.
Some signs you may have a bunion include:
- Your big toe is starting to move inward
- You have a bump at the base of your big toe (MTP joint)
- You feel joint pain or pressure around your big toe
- You’re experiencing swelling, redness, inflammation, or soreness at the MTP joint
- You’re starting to get corns or calluses
- It’s getting harder to walk or find your balance
You may also notice that the skin around or near the MTP joint or your big toe is sensitive to the touch.
Why do I have bunions?
People develop bunions for a number of reasons, and no one is immune to these bony protrusions. But if you have a family history of bunions, the odds are greater that you’ll get them, too. Other risk factors that increase the chances of developing bunions include:
- Having hypermobile feet
- Sustaining a foot injury
- Having flat feet
- Not wearing well-fitting shoes
- Putting your feet under repetitive stress
Bunions may also develop as the result of some neurological disorders, and women with a history of wearing high-heeled shoes may also increase their risk of developing bunions since these shoes make the underlying structural issue worse.
How can custom orthotics help stop my bunions from growing?
Bunions don’t disappear on their own. They remain in place unless removed surgically. But by taking early action when you first notice the development of a bunion, Dr. Tauber can help prevent further progression.
Custom orthotics offer a non-invasive treatment that may make it possible for you to avoid bunion surgery while reducing your pain and restoring foot function. These individually tailored shoe inserts are designed to improve your balance and alignment by dispersing weight and pressure more evenly.
Because custom orthotics keep your feet in proper alignment, they help prevent further structural damage and provide relief from bunion pain at the same time they stop your bunions from getting worse.
To ensure your custom orthotics work optimally, Dr. Tauber and the team at New Canaan Podiatry conduct a physical exam and evaluate your overall foot health. This helps ensure your customized treatment plan meets all your foot care needs.
If custom orthotics are the right solution for your bunions, Dr. Tauber creates an exact cast of your feet so the contours of the orthotic will support your foot in the right places to prevent your bunions from growing without putting extra pressure on any other areas of your feet.
How can I get custom orthotics for bunions?
If you have a bunion or suspect one is developing, don’t wait to schedule a consultation with your podiatrist. Besides evaluating your bunion, Dr. Tauber also looks for any additional underlying issues with the structure of your feet and helps you improve your foot mechanics.
Beyond custom orthotics, Dr. Tauber also provides additional tips on how to slow the progression of bunions so you can walk pain-free while avoiding more invasive treatments in the future.
To stop your bunions in their tracks with custom orthotics, contact Dr. Tauber at New Canaan Podiatry by calling 203-263-9052 or book an appointment online now!